Principal’s Transformational Leadership in Shaping Innovative School Culture in the Digital Era
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52690/jswse.v7i1.1375Keywords:
Innovative Culture Based on Digital Technology, Principal's Leadership, School CultureAbstract
This research aims to investigate in depth how school principals with transformational leadership styles shape innovative school cultures in the digital era. This research responds to the gap of previous research that focused more on structural and administrative aspects in educational leadership, but has not explored exploratively the dynamics of transformational leadership in building a technology-oriented innovation culture. The method used is a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observations, and documentation studies at SMP Negeri 1, 2, 4, 9, 13 Bengkulu City that have implemented technology integration in learning and management activities. The results of this study show that school principals play the role of agents of change who inspire, facilitate collaboration, and create an open climate for renewal. The novelty of this study lies in mapping transformational leadership practices that are contextual with the challenges of digitizing education. The practical implications of this research encourage the development of leadership programs that focus on digital literacy and school cultural innovation. A major contribution of this research is the provision of a conceptual framework for transformative leadership in the context of 21st century digital schools.
References
Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (1994). Improving Organizational Effectiveness through Transformational Leadership. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (1995). MLQ Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire Manual. Redwood City: Mind Garden.
Bilan, Y., Oliinyk, O., Mishchuk, H., & Skare, M. (2023). Impact of information and communications technology on the development and use of knowledge. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 191, 122519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122519
Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40. http://dx.doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Browder, R. E., Dwyer, S. M., & Koch, H. (2024). Upgrading adaptation: How digital transformation promotes organizational resilience. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 18(1), 128-164. https://doi.org/10.1002/sej.1483
Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. New York: Harper & Row.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches (4th ed.). Sage. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=2155979
Deal, T. E., & Peterson, K. D. (2009). Shaping School Culture: Pitfalls, Paradoxes, and Promises (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=2224440
Fullan, M. (2007). The New Meaning of Educational Change (4th ed.). Teachers College Press.
Goraya, M. A. S., Yaqub, M. Z., Khan, M. A., Akram, M. S., & Alofaysan, H. (2024). Transforming performance: how agility, response, resilience and support shape success in digital strategies. Information Technology & People. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-05-2024-0592
Holtgrewe, U. (2014). New technologies: the future and the present of work in information and communication technology. New technology, work and employment, 29(1), 9-24. https://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12025
Khalid, R., Saeed, M., & Ali, H. (2022). Transformational leadership and digital innovation: The mediating role of digital culture in educational institutions. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 50(3), 439–457.
Leithwood, K., & Jantzi, D. (2006). Transformational school leadership for large-scale reform: Effects on students, teachers, and their classroom practices. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 17(2), 201–227. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243450600565829
Leithwood, K., & Jantzi, D. (2000). The effects of transformational leadership on organizational conditions and student engagement. Journal of Educational Administration, 38(2), 112–129.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic Inquiry. Sage Publications.
Lumbanraja, P., Dalimunthe, R. F., & Hasibuan, R. A. (2021). Kepemimpinan Transformasional Kepala Sekolah dalam Meningkatkan Kinerja Guru di Era Teknologi. Jurnal Administrasi Pendidikan, 28(1), 45–56.
Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2016). Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Ng, F. S. D. (2019). Principal leadership for school improvement in Singapore: Balancing change and continuity. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 47(2), 206–225.
Özdemir, N., Gümüş, S., Kılınç, A. Ç., & Bellibaş, M. Ş. (2024). A systematic review of research on the relationship between school leadership and student achievement: An updated framework and future direction. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 52(5), 1020-1046. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432221118662
OECD. (2020). Education in the Digital Age: Healthy and Responsible Use of Technology in Schools. Paris: OECD Publishing.
Peurach, D. J., Cohen, D. K., Yurkofsky, M. M., & Spillane, J. P. (2019). From mass schooling to education systems: Changing patterns in the organization and management of instruction. Review of Research in Education, 43(1), 32-67. https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X18821131
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5), 1–6.
Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational Culture and Leadership (4th ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Wahyudi, A., & Suparno, S. (2020). Pengaruh Gaya Kepemimpinan Transformasional terhadap Kinerja Guru melalui Motivasi Kerja. Jurnal Kepemimpinan Pendidikan, 3(2), 114–123.
Yalçın, M. T., & Çoban, Ö. (2023). Effect of school leadership on student academic achievement: school level path variables. Current Psychology, 42(25), 21249-21262. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04886-6
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th ed.). Sage Publications. https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/case-study-research-and-applications/book250150
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Connie Connie, Muhammad Kristiawan, Septi Emilya
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
