Cognitively Complex Leaders: How Principals Influence Organizational Learning Through Climate for Innovation

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Educational Leaders Engaging in Decision-Making and Sensemaking of Policy and Practice

Abstract

Using an information-processing approach, the current innovative study examines a model for the prediction of OLMs, linking school principals' cognitive complexity (CC) and OLMs through the mediating effect of an innovative climate. The model was examined for three levels of principals' CC (high, intermediate, and low). Study participants were 131 principals and 1279 teachers from 131 elementary schools. Results indicated that principals’ CC promotes OLMs through a climate for innovation. Examination of the model in relation to CC levels showed that the model with a high level of CC is better than those with intermediate (average) and low levels of CC. The proposed model tested here is important in relating cognitive-social-cultural-structural aspects in the framework of leadership and learning schools.

Authors

• Rima'a Da'as, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

• Mowafaq Qadach, Ono Academic College and Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education, Israel

• Chen Schechter, Bar-Ilan University