The Role of Middle Leaders in Fostering Organizational Coherence in Schools

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 9:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Systems and Supports for Organizational Improvement (Table 13)

Abstract

Middle leaders (MLs) have a crucial position in school hierarchies, bridging the gap between ‎senior management and teaching staff. Despite their importance, the evidence on their impact ‎remains ambiguous. This study explores how MLs enhance organizational coherence in ‎schools using the salutogenic theory framework. The data collected in four large Israeli high ‎schools by means of interviews, observations, and document analysis. The findings reveal ‎that middle leaders significantly enhance schools’ comprehensibility and manageability but ‎less so in promoting organizational meaningfulness. This research contributes to ‎understanding mid-level roles and provides insights into middle leadership practices can be ‎leveraged to create more coherent educational environments. Furthermore, the organizational ‎coherence framework offers a valuable framework for understanding and enhancing school ‎functioning.‎

Authors

• Noy Dali, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

• Dorit Tubin, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev