Influence of leadership styles on teacher communication networks: A Hong Kong case study

Hau Fai Edmond LAW, Chi Kin John LEE, Sally W.Y. WAN, Yue On James KO, Futoshi HIRUMA

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlespeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This article reports the findings of a study conducted in an elementary school in 2007–2008. The design-based study, which is a replication of another study conducted in 2003–2005, analysed the influence of different leadership styles on teacher communication networks. Two curriculum development teams, namely English and General Studies teams, were set up to help in curriculum innovation, design and implementation in classrooms. Participating teachers conducted reflection meetings to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented curriculum and discuss measures for improvement. Teacher interviews were conducted before and after each cycle of curriculum innovation. Meetings were videotaped. This study analyses the videotaped meetings through quantitative and qualitative approaches, and aims to show the effects of leadership styles and power on communication networking systems of the two teams. Results show that two modes of communication networking systems are prevalent in the videotaped meetings: restricted and extended modes. These two modes have different effects on space for teacher learning. The extended mode allows more space for teacher participation and reflection, whereas the restricted mode restricts teacher access to active participation. An effective leadership programme enhances the capacities of participants, creates conditions that allow the emergence of extended mode in meetings and provides guidance towards the realization of innovations. Copyright © 2013 Taylor & Francis.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)40-61
JournalInternational Journal of Leadership in Education
Volume17
Issue number1
Early online dateJul 2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Citation

Law, E. H. F., Lee, J. C. K., Wan, S. W. Y., Ko, J., & Hiruma, F. (2014). Influence of leadership styles on teacher communication networks: A Hong Kong case study. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 17(1), 40-61.

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