ERIC Number: EJ1490010
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Nov
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1741-1432
EISSN: EISSN-1741-1440
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Going beyond Creativity: Primary Headteachers as Social Intrapreneurs?
Marie Beresford-Dey1; Richard Ingram1; Liz Lakin1
Educational Management Administration & Leadership, v53 n6 p1394-1416 2025
This article presents the details and findings of a mixed-methods study that explored Scottish primary sector headteachers' enactment of creativity through a Complexity Leadership Theory lens. Although policymakers emphasise the importance of headteachers and their impact on school improvement, there is a growing need for headteachers to enact and effectively nurture school-wide creativity if they are to overcome complex challenges brought about by today's political, social and economic environments. In response to the research question 'To what extent do primary headteachers perceive their role as being creative?', this article reports on 23 surveys and 11 semi-structured interviews undertaken as part of a larger study. Whilst our findings suggest that creativity is enacted to some extent by the headteachers, the evidence goes beyond this and identifies social intrapreneurship emerging. The concept of social intrapreneurship within education appears to be unique to this study. We identify social intrapreneurs as individuals who demonstrate creativity, resourcefulness, collaboration and determination and are growth-oriented within bureaucratic constraints. We conclude by discussing how social intrapreneurship is a valuable concept for headteachers and policymakers alike.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Principals, Creativity, Administrator Role, Instructional Leadership, Administrator Attitudes, Elementary Education
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (Scotland)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1University of Dundee

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