Purpose: The purpose of the article is to examine knowledge about successful principalship and discuss the methodology that has emerged throughout the history of the International Successful School Principals Project (ISSPP) and their implications for future progress. Design/methodology/approach: Historical analysis is used as a strategy for…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to clarify whether UK business schools need to change their strategy, to adopt a more business-like approach, without compromising their role as providers of "quality education". Business-like activities, as explained by Dart (2004, p. 294) are generally understood to be those characterised by some…

With the increasing diversity in schools and the call for addressing specific regional needs, decentralized regulation of the education system is often proposed as an alternative approach to achieve school improvement. Researchers have often associated experimentation and risk-taking as key aspects of effective educational leadership while…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of what the author believes to be his major contributions to the field of Educational Administration. Design/methodology/approach: The approach taken is a personal review and reflection based on research. For purposes of structuring the article three themes have been…

Ofsted has always courted controversy. With the appointment of a strident new chief inspector its operations are likely to remain, or become increasingly, controversial. This article provides a detailed critique of key documents which describe the new inspection regime that for good or ill will have major consequences in schools. Although in…

Purpose: This paper aims to report the results of a replication study of perceived managerial and leadership effectiveness within a Romanian public sector hospital, and to discuss the extent to which they are similar to and different from findings from equivalent studies carried out in two British NHS Trust hospitals. Design/methodology/approach:…

UK higher education has a proud tradition stretching back centuries, with St. Andrews almost 600 years old, and teaching having existed at Oxford for more than 900 years. There is no reason why universities established more recently should not demonstrate similar longevity. The management of stakeholders has always been central to the successful…

The external evaluation of a university's learning and teaching by, for example, professional bodies and (in the UK) by the Quality Assurance Agency, might fulfil several functions but of particular importance must be the use the university can make of it in improving the quality of its provision. This paper argues that sometimes, however, aspects…

The principle of lay people taking important strategic decisions and holding lead professionals to account has a long and illustrious pedigree in British public life; it applies to police authorities, primary care trusts, local councils as well as schools. However, influential voices have been raised over recent months about the suitability of…

The leadership roles of pro-vice-chancellors (PVCs) in the United Kingdom and elsewhere have evolved markedly over the last three decades while universities have been encouraged to shift towards more executive styles of leadership and decision-making. The change does not only reflect changing institutional needs, however, but an accommodation of…

This paper illustrates how Mode 2 "design science" research can generate HRD related "general knowledge" in support of evidence-based practice. It describes a "derived-etic" study that compares and contrasts the findings of six previous "emic" studies previously carried out within six different public and…

There is a shortage of school governors. The response has been to suggest a reduction in the number needed by decreasing the size of governing bodies or by forcing federation. Neither response is the answer. Reduction in size will place a greater burden on the few remaining governors and forced federation will distance incumbents from those things…

Evaluates research on chief executive officers' effects on corporate performance, using Lieberman and O'Connor's study as a starting point. Argues that individual leaders, despite situational constraints, can make a real difference. Supports this argument with study results involving large firms in the United Kingdom. Includes 17 references. (MLH)

This article focuses on the theory and practice of teamwork in "top management teams" in UK higher education institutions. It is informed by some of the key findings from a recent two-year research project sponsored by the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education that investigated the different ways in which UK higher education…

Explores the development, validation, and use of management competencies, focusing on British principals' position within the maintained-schools sector. Describes the generation of management competencies through a national job analysis involving some 255 heads. Advocates a competency-based evaluation process, presents specific headteacher…