Unveiling successful leadership: A case study of high-performing primary school principals in urban southwest China

Liu, Xipeng (2024) Unveiling successful leadership: A case study of high-performing primary school principals in urban southwest China. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This doctoral study investigates the intricate dynamics of educational leadership within the context of high-performing schools in urban Southwest China. Adopting a bounded realism ontology and a constructivist epistemological stance, the research examines the leadership mindsets, practices, and impacts of successful principals at Churchill Primary School (pseudonym) in the Riverside District of Chengdu. The study utilizes a case study methodology, integrating semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation to collect and analyze data.

The research identifies common leadership traits among the principals, emphasizing a strong sense of mission, moral values, and adherence to democratic principles. Furthermore, the study reveals shared patterns in the leadership model at Churchill Primary School, highlighting the impact of moral vision, systemic thinking, and democratic values on school operations and management. Also, the study evaluates the applicability of existing leadership models and proposes a “Full Spectrum Leadership” model that outlines the characteristics and capabilities of a comprehensive leader. It also emphasizes the need for modifications to established 20th-century leadership models to address the complexities of 21st-century educational environments.

The research acknowledges limitations, including the employment of a single-case study methodology and the potential for researcher subjectivity. The study’s quality was preserved as the researcher actively managed challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other misfortunes while ensuring valid and reliable data collection and analysis.

Overall, this study provides valuable insights into effective educational leadership within the unique cultural and societal context of urban Southwest China. The findings contribute to the current discourse on educational leadership and offer recommendations for future research and practice in the field.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: L Education > L Education (General); L Education > LB Theory and practice of education; L Education > LG Individual institutions (Asia. Africa)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Supervisor's Name: McMahon, Professor Margery and Kerrigan, Mrs Kathleen
• Date of Award: 2024
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2024-84677
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 08 Nov 2024 15:21
• Last Modified: 08 Nov 2024 15:25
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.84677
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/84677