Innovative Organizational Atmosphere and School Culture: a Qualitative Study

Authors

• R. Heydarifard
• - H.R. Zeinabadi
• - M. Behrangi
• B Abdollahi

Abstract

    The purpose of the present study was to identify and designate the phenomena of the culture and organization atmosphere in favor of innovation in high school in order to produce an appropriate conceptual framework and develop a theoretical foundation of the schools. To achieve this purpose, a qualitative studywas conductedthrough using phenomenological procedures. The population includes university professors, prominent high school principals, and outstanding teachers in Tehran. Thirty-seven persons as messengers (information senders) were chosen among all participants based on purposeful sampling. The data analysis was based on the analysis of inductive content analysis and it was based on coding at three level of open, central, and selective. The results and findings indicated that the categories or fundamental dimensions of culture and organization atmosphere in favor of innovation include: 1) research-centered culture, 2) culture supporting innovation, 3) mutual relationship and respect, 4) creativity and innovation character, and 5) the critique and criticizing culture. Therefore, the findingsindicate thatbased onidentified school indicators, the teachers and staffs can pave the way for the innovative activitiesby providing a culture and organization atmosphere in favor of innovation in high schools.

Keywords

• Culture and Organization Atmosphere
• Innovation
• Qualitative approach
• Phenomenology

20.1001.1.20086369.1395.7.26.4.5

---

References

- Bazargan, A. (1997).An Introduction to Qualitative & Mixed Methods Research. Tehran: Didar Publication.[Persian]

- Chang, C.P., Wanchuang, H. Bennington, L. (2011). Organizational Climat for in no Vation and creative teaching in urbanand rural Schools.QualQunant, Vol, 45, 935-951.

- Christian. C. F. (1972). Organizational climate of elementary schools and the Introduction and utilization of innovative educational practices.Unpublished doctoral dissertation.University of Nebraska.

- Creswell, J. W . & Plano Clark, V.L. (2007). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Translated by AlirezaKiamanesh&JavidSaraei (2010). Tehran: Aeizh Publication. [Persian]

- DanaeiFard, H., Alvani. M., & Azar, A. (2007).Qualitative research methodology in management: Comprehensive approach. Tehran: Safar Publication. [Persian]

- Dean, D.S. (2011). Collegial leadership, teacher professionalism, faculty trust: predicting teacher academic optimism in elementary school. Unpublished doctoral dissertation.University of Alabama.

- Education Ministry. (2010). Document of strategic change in formal education system of Iran till 2023.

- Gholami, Kh. Asady, M. (2014). The Professors professional experience in relation to effective teaching phenomen in higher education.Journal of theory & practice in curriculum.Vol.1(2):5-26.

- Hassani, M. (2006). Innovation dissemination in Education: Presenting a model.. . Educational Innovation Journal, 5(15), pp.151-176[Persian]

-Homan, H. (2010). Handbook of qualitative research. Tehran: SAMT Pub.[Persian]

- Hoy, W.K. & Sweetland, S.R. (2001). Desining better schools: The meaning and measure of enabling school  structures. Educational Administration Quarterly, 37(3),296-321.

- Kardan, A.M. (2002). Innovation in education, resources and conditions. Educational Innovation Journal, 1(1), pp. 11-20. [Persian]

- Khalid Hamza, M. (1996).Exploration in teaching strateges that foster creative thinking and problem solving in a community college.Unpublished doctoral dissertation.The University of Texas A & M.

- Manteqe, M. (2005).An investigation into educational innovation in iranschools,Educational Innovation Journal,4(12),pp.35-57.[Persian].

- Marton, F. (1981).Phenomenography-describing conceptions of the world arounds. Instructional science, 10(2),177-200.

- Rashid. Kh. Mahmood Hussain. M. & Nadeem. (2012). A leadership and inn ovation in a school culture: How can a leader bring a built innovation in the school culture? Journal of Elementary Education 21(1), 67-75. .

- Ray, J.M. (2010). An investigation of the relationships a mong leadership effectiveness,types of organizational culture, & programmatic focus in tennessee alternative schools. Unpublished doctoral dissertation.The University of Memphis.

- Safi, A. (2003). Innovation in Iranian education and future vision. Educational Innovation Journal, 2(3), pp. 109-125. [Persian]

- Sullivan, L.J. (2003).The influence of school culture, school goals, & teacher collaboration on teachers attitudes to ward their professional development plans. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of  George Mason

- Toorani, H. & Aqaei, A. (2012).Educational innovation in Iran and other countries. Tehran: Madrese Publication.[Persian]

- Toorani, H.; Aqaei, A. & Manteqi, M. (2012).World experience in educational innovations in terms of innovation generation, acceptance and impelementation in Iranian education. Educational Innovation Journal, 11(43), pp. 7-41.[Persian]

- Velasco, I. (2011).The impact of principal  leadership behaviors on school climate. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of  Houston state.

- Wong-Kam, J.W.N.(2012).Creating a climate for innovation: reframing structure, culture,& leadership practices. Unpublished doctoral dissertation.University of California.