The Networked School Leader: Examining the Principal Position in School and District Networks

• In Event: Roundtable Session 116
  In Roundtable Session: Leadership and Learning Roundtable

Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which principals occupy similar positions in advice networks within and outside their school. In addition, we examined whether the (lack of) congruence between principals’ internal/external network position can be attributed to school leader characteristics (e.g., demographics, transformational leadership). Using social network analysis and multilevel analysis, we analyzed data collected among 702 educators of 51 Dutch elementary schools. Findings suggest that principals who occupy a central position in their school’s social network are also more likely to occupy a central position in their district’s collaborative leadership network. Moreover, transformational leadership was found to affect the extent to which principals occupy a central position. Implications of the study are discussed.

Author

• Nienke M. Moolenaar, University of California - San Diego