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Educational leadership is challenged with meeting the requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) legislation which mandates an education for all students. The focus on accessibility and accountability has resulted in more students with disabilities being served in the general education setting. The co-teaching service delivery model is offered in the school environment to provide an education for all students and is intended to include instruction that is specially designed for students with disabilities. Instructional leadership is essential to a successful implementation and maintenance of inclusive practices. This study sought to provide a better understanding of instructional leadership practices of the co-teaching service delivery model. The purpose of the study was to describe and explain how leaders support co-teaching. A distributed perspective based on the combination of activity and distributed cognition theories has been developed to study school leadership. This distributed perspective views leadership practice as an interaction between leaders, followers, and the situation (Spillane, Halverson, and Diamond 2004). This study examined instructional leadership practices of the co-teaching service delivery model at the elementary level. Data were collected through a qualitative design, using interviews, observations, and review of documents. Interviews were conducted with administrators responsible for the direct supervision of the co-teaching model and with co-teachers, both general and special educators. Observations occurred in the school setting and related documents were collected and analyzed. The distributed leadership perspective guided the data collection focusing on leadership tasks and functions, task-enactment, and social and situational distribution of leadership practice. The data revealed leadership tasks that included forming the team, scheduling, assigning instructional roles, allocating resources, and developing the co-teacher relationship. Leadership was shared between the administrators and teachers with both providing leadership. School environment, organizational arrangements with available resources, and participants' profile were identified as factors influencing the leadership practice of co-teaching. It is hoped by understanding the leadership roles and responsibilities of co-teaching, educators may better understand and nurture a co-teaching model that supports students in an inclusive environment. / Ed. D.

Within the growing literature on team leadership, there is a lack of understanding which leadership process may be most reflective of intratsk leadership. In study 1, I explored leadership behaviors throughout the operating team's OR tasks and if a shared leadership approach is related to psycho-social attitudes and performance of the team. I also investigate surgical teams' engagement in safety related behaviors and if these are related to the team's workflow disruptions. As an exemplar environment, I chose to observe these dynamics in the operating theater, which is a high-stakes environment that necessitates the team to use both technical and non-technical skills. In study 2, I investigate whether a brief targeted leadership coaching sessions with residents in a simulated environment results in different (increase or decrease) leadership behaviors at an interval of 6 months. Multiple hypothesized models were tested in Study 1. The results of model 1 show that psychological safety and team trust are significantly correlated to each other (r=.704, p= <.001). The results show that psychological safety (β= -.505 p=.049) is related to performance (time of patient on bypass), while team trust (β= .177 p=.303) does not predict performance. The results of model 2 show that more extensive shared leadership behaviors are not significantly correlated with psychological safety (r=.087 p=.250) and performance (r=-.085, p =.295); however, the results show that there is a significant correlation with shared leadership and team trust (r=.260 p =.023), indicating that a more extensive shared leadership approach is related to higher team trust in a surgical team. The results of model 3 show that the length of the time-out (a safety critical behavior) does not mediate the relationship between perceptions of the usefulness of the time-out and frequency with which the circulating nurse leaves the operating room (OR). However, there is a strong relationship between the perceptions of the time-out and the number of times the circulating nurse leaves the OR (β = -.425, p<.001), indicating that for every unit increase in the perceptions of the usefulness of the time-out, the nurse leaves the OR .45 fewer times. In study 2, a paired sample t-test was conducted to understand if leadership behaviors post-coaching session are more frequent than pre-coaching session. The results show that there is no significant difference in the frequency of leadership behaviors at time 1 (M =.113, SD=.040) and the leadership behaviors at time 2 (M= .127, SD= .041); t (6)= -1.216, p = .270. / Doctor of Philosophy / Within the growing literature on team leadership, there is a lack of understanding which leadership process may be most reflective of intratsk leadership. In study 1, I explored leadership behaviors throughout the operating team's OR tasks and if a shared leadership approach is related to psycho-social attitudes and performance of the team. I also investigate surgical teams' engagement in safety related behaviors and if these are related to the team's workflow disruptions. As an exemplar environment, I chose to observe these dynamics in the operating theater, which is a high-stakes environment that necessitates the team to use both technical and non-technical skills. In study 2, I investigate whether a brief targeted leadership coaching sessions with residents in a simulated environment results in different (increase or decrease) leadership behaviors at an interval of 6 months. Multiple hypothesized models were tested in Study 1. The results of model 1 show that psychological safety and team trust are significantly correlated to each other. The results show that psychological safety is related to performance (time of patient on bypass), while team trust does not predict performance. The results of model 2 show that more extensive shared leadership behaviors are not significantly correlated with psychological safety and performance; however, the results show that there is a significant correlation with shared leadership and team trust, indicating that a more extensive shared leadership approach is related to higher team trust in a surgical team. The results of model 3 show that the length of the time-out (a safety critical behavior) does not mediate the relationship between perceptions of the usefulness of the time-out and frequency with which the circulating nurse leaves the operating room (OR). However, there is a strong relationship between the perceptions of the usefulness of the time-out and the number of times the circulating nurse leaves the OR, indicating that for every unit increase in the perceptions of the usefulness of the time-out, the nurse leaves the OR .45 fewer times. In study 2, a paired sample t-test was conducted to understand if leadership behaviors post-coaching session are more frequent than pre-coaching session. The results show that there is no significant difference in the frequency of leadership behaviors at time 1 and the leadership behaviors at time 2.

Leadership has been traditionally conceptualized as individual-centered and top-down. However, the fast growing environment creates demands beyond the capabilities of an individual leader and requires flexible and adaptive leadership structures in response. The current study built upon research in leadership and teams and employed an iterative experimental design to investigate the emergence of shared leadership through its antecedents (i.e., power structure and role assignment) and examine its impact on team outcomes (i.e., productivity, adaptability and innovation). The relationship between shared leadership and other team properties (i.e., collective efficacy and team cohesiveness) were also scrutinized. Social network analysis (SNA) and growth modeling techniques were utilized. Support for hypotheses was not found. Methodological and analytical limitations and future research directions were discussed. / Master of Science

The challenges we face in society are becoming increasingly complex. Addressing complex problems (such as climate change, food security, and water conservation, among others) requires working with others in an interdependent and collaborative environment. However, employers have noted that college graduates are insufficiently prepared to work effectively in teams. The central problem this study seeks to solve pertains to the inability of college graduates to engage effectively in teamwork. I have identified transformational leadership and effective followership behaviors as predictors of teamwork quality and team effectiveness in the study. This study applies an explanatory sequential mixed methods design to examine: (a) whether transformational team leadership is positively related to team effectiveness, as mediated by teamwork quality, (b) whether effective team followership is positively related to team effectiveness, as mediated by teamwork quality; (c) team members' perceptions of overall teamwork quality, (d) team members' perceptions of how transformational team leadership influences overall teamwork quality and team effectiveness, (e) team members' perceptions of how effective team followership influences overall teamwork quality and team effectiveness, and (f) the differences and similarities that exist between teams in the perceptions of teamwork quality, transformational team leadership and effective team followership. Quantitative data were collected through surveys that were completed by 98 students (n=98) subdivided into 20 project teams (j=20) in the Virginia Governor School for Agriculture, as well as 84 students (n=84) subdivided into 10 project teams (j=10) in a leadership class at the University of Georgia. Follow-up focus groups were conducted with five teams (j = 5, n = 27). Statistical analyses included: descriptive statistics, correlational tests, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), Cronbach's alpha tests, and a mediation analysis based on ordinary least square regression-based path analysis. Coding and thematic analysis of focus group transcripts were carried out in the qualitative phase. Findings indicate that transformational team leadership was positively related to team effectiveness ( = 0.54, p < .05), such that the relationship was mediated by teamwork quality. However, teamwork quality did not mediate the relationship between effective team followership and team effectiveness. Findings show a distinction in the perception of teamwork quality between teams. Those with low-quality teamwork started out with limited social cohesion, exhibited social loafing, and were polarized along in-group versus out-group lines. In contrast, groups with high-quality teamwork started out with team bonding, resolved minor conflicts quickly, and established team synergy. Similarly, findings show a distinction in the perception of team leadership between teams, where those with low-quality teamwork exhibited centralized leadership, while teams with high-quality teamwork exhibited shared leadership. Lastly, findings show a distinction in the perception of team followership between teams, where those with low-quality teamwork exhibited passive team followership, and those with high-quality teamwork exhibited proactive team followership. The study has important implications for college students, leadership educators, organizations, and researchers. / Doctor of Philosophy / In today's world, employers are interested in the ability of college graduates to work effectively in a team. This is because the problems organizations face today are increasingly complex and require teamwork. Unfortunately, employers have rated many college graduates as inadequately prepared to work effectively in teams. Seeing this problem, I wanted to know what factors influence college graduates' ability to engage effectively in teamwork. While leadership researchers have identified team members' leadership and followership behaviors as factors that influence their ability to work effectively in a team, there is a need to know what that relationship looks like. Therefore, in this study, I have explored how transformational leadership and effective followership behaviors of team members influence teamwork quality and team effectiveness. I surveyed 20 student project teams comprised of 98 students in the Virginia Governor School for Agriculture, as well as 10 student project teams comprised of 84 students in a leadership class at the University of Georgia. As a follow-up, I conducted small-group discussions with five teams to understand what was going on in their teams regarding teamwork quality, leadership, and followership. I found that transformational team leadership influenced team effectiveness by improving the quality of teamwork in a team. However, effective team followership did not improve the quality of teamwork in a team. I also found a distinction in the perception of teamwork quality between teams. Those with low-quality teamwork started out with limited social cohesion, exhibited social loafing, and were polarized along in-group versus out-group lines. On the other hand, teams with high-quality teamwork started out with team bonding, resolved minor conflicts quickly, and established team synergy. Similarly, I found a distinction in the perception of team leadership between teams, where those with low-quality teamwork exhibiting centralized leadership, and those with high-quality teamwork exhibited shared leadership. Lastly, I found a distinction in the perception of team followership between teams, where those with low-quality teamwork exhibited passive team followership, and teams with high-quality teamwork exhibited proactive team followership. The study has important implications for college students, leadership educators, organizations, and researchers.

The purpose of the study was to examine and evaluate the extent to which the supportive conditions (collaboration, teacher efficacy, shared leadership, and trust) were present in the district's current professional learning communities (PLCs) model, and whether teachers perceived the supportive conditions to be related to improving their instructional practices. This mixed-methods study used Pearson correlation coefficient, multiple regression, and focus group interviews to concurrently triangulate data to answer the research questions. The sample from this study was identified from 600 middle school teachers. Survey participants included 139 teachers and each of the four focus group interviews contained 6 teachers for a total of 24 teachers. Of the four supporting conditions analyzed, trust generated the highest mean (M = 3.41). Results from this study indicate that the supportive conditions for PLCs have a strong correlation (0.10) with the studied district's current PLC model and each specific supporting condition elicits a targeted aspect of professional learning that has a significant impact on teacher instructional practices. Recommendations for future studies include the expansion of this study to include elementary and high school participants and to extend this study to a larger scope of interested districts seeking to improve their PLC structures for improved teacher instructional practices. Expanding this research could build upon the current body of literature as it relates to PLCs, professional learning, and student achievement.

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Den här studien behandlar begreppet delat ledarskap med utgångspunkt i en förskoleorganisation som öppet berättat att de använder den här typen av ledarskap. Delat ledarskap är en ledarskapsmodell där ansvar, befogenheter och arbetsuppgifter är uppdelade eller gemensamma mellan två eller flera ledare. Det delade ledarskapet beskrivs som en bra och passande ledarskapsmodell för komplexa organisationer och deras krav. Syftet med studien är att undersöka vad det delade ledarskapet medför i praktiken utifrån ledare och medarbetares upplevelser. På grund av Skolverkets regelsättning är funktionellt delat ledarskap den enda tillåtna varianten av delat ledarskap i skolsektorn. Således kommer studien främst att fokusera på den typen av delat ledarskap. Studien är en fallstudie med en fenomenologisk ansats där det insamlade materialet består av nio intervjuer med personer som anställts både innan och efter införandet av ledarskapsmodellen. Förskoleorganisationen består av sex olika förskoleenheter varav tre av dessa medverkar i den här studien. För att få så brett perspektiv som möjligt utgår studien både utifrån ett medarbetar- och chefsperspektiv.   Studiens slutresultat visar att delat ledarskap kan vara gynnande för ledningen, men att medarbetarna fortfarande saknar det närvarande ledarskapet från rektorn och enhetschefen. Det framkommer även hur organisationsprocesser kan förenklas genom frekvent och god kommunikation, tillit och personkemi, som är tre viktiga faktorer för ett lyckat delat ledarskap. Slutsatsen konstaterar vidare att det finns utmaningar i den horisontella relationen inåt som kan försvåras om ledarna inom ett delat ledarskap inte är kompatibla med varandra. Då funktionen av prestigelöshet och ett kompletterande ledarskap inom ett delat ledarskap är faktorer som skapar grunden till samarbete. / This study will discuss the term shared leadership inside of a kindergarten-organization who have openly announced that they use this kind of leadership. Shared leadership is a leadership model where responsibility, authority and work tasks are divided or shared between two or more leaders. The shared leadership has been described as a good and appropriate leadership model for complex organizations and their requirements. The purpose of the study is to investigate what the shared leadership provides in practice seen from the leaders’ and coworkers’ experiences. Because of rules set up by Skolverket, functional shared leadership is the only allowed variant of shared leadership in the school sector. Thus the study will first and foremost focus on this kind of shared leadership. The study is a case study with a phenomenological approach where the collected material consists of nine interviews with people who were employed both before and after the implementation of the leadership model. The kindergarten-organization consists of six different kindergarten-units, whereof three of these are participating in the study. To achieve as wide of a perspective as possible the study will consider a worker-perspective and a leader-perspective.    The study’s result shows that shared leadership can be beneficial for management, but that coworkers still miss the attending leadership from both principal and unit manager. Furthermore, the study’s result also shows how organizational processes can be simplified through frequent and good communication, trust and personal chemistry, which are three important factors for successful shared leadership. The conclusion further states that there are challenges in the horizontal relationship inwards which can be made more difficult if the leaders within a shared leadership are not compatible with each other. Since the function of lack of prestige and a complementary leadership within a shared leadership are factors that create the basis for cooperation.

Syftet med denna studie har varit att belysa hur skolans huvudmän, dvs. rektorers chefer, ser på delat ledarskap i skolan. Studien belyser också hur samarbetet mellan huvudmännen och rektorerna fungerar samt vilka möjligheter och hinder huvudmännen ser med ett delat ledarskap i skolan. Insamling av data har gjorts genom kvalitativa semistrukturerade intervjuer och bearbetats i en tematisk analys. Urvalet har avgränsats till att omfatta fyra huvudmän på verksamhetschefsnivå och en huvudman på politisk nivå i några av de största kommunerna i Stockholms län. Studien har en kunskapsteoretisk utgångspunkt som brukar beskrivas som tolkande och konstruktionistisk till sin art. Tidigare forskning indikerar att det finns en kunskapslucka när det gäller huvudmännens syn på delat ledarskap i skolan vilket motiverar att denna studie görs. Resultatet visade att huvudmännen anser att det delade ledarskapet bör få finnas där det finns behov för det, dock inte på rektorsnivå på en och samma skolenhet eftersom skollagen inte tillåter det. Däremot har rektor möjlighet att organisera den inre verksamheten på sin skola utifrån bestämmelser i skollagen där det framgår att det är möjligt att ha två eller fler rektorer på skolor med fler skolenheter. Huvudmännen anser att deras skyldighet är att se till att ha en styrkedja med tydlig rollfördelning så att oklarheter i ansvar, genomförande och återkoppling kan undvikas. Nyckelord: Delat ledarskap, samarbete, huvudman, skola

The aim of this study is to explore the involvement of stakeholders in the functions of leadership within the context of voluntary organisations in the UK. What is intriguing about the study is that business and management research has focused mainly on ‘vertical leadership’ that stems from an appointed or formal leader as opposed to ‘shared leadership’ that is distributed across the organisation. This study therefore, seeks to advance scholarly knowledge on the phenomenon of ‘shared leadership’ focusing on voluntary organisations taking a stakeholder perspective. A review of the current literature focusing on shared leadership indicates that the definition of shared leadership has converged around numerous underlying dimensions. However, the key distinction between shared leadership and other leadership paradigms is that the influence process emanates from different directions rather than the tradition top to down approach. This study attempts to explore the level of shared leadership at the organisational level in the context of voluntary organisations by employing a pragmatic approach to research. The research involved three phases; Phase 1 is qualitative, Phase 2 is quantitative and Phase 3 is qualitative. The research methods have included semi-structured interviews (Phase 1) with 10 participants, a survey (Phase 2) that had 126 respondents and in-depth interviews (Phase 3) involving 30 stakeholders. The findings suggest that the level of shared leadership in voluntary organisations is relatively high. However, the involvement of the stakeholders has been more on a ‘consultative’ level rather than on a ‘participative’ one. Moreover, the status or position of the stakeholder in the organisation is a significant factor in determining the level of shared leadership. It was revealed that some stakeholders are merely involved in low level activities. The findings of this research have implications on the Human Resource Management in terms of stakeholder engagement in the leadership process.