Fostering an entrepreneurial attitude – challenging in principal leadership

Abstract

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to uncover the meaning of entrepreneurship in schools and a school leadership which aims to nurture an entrepreneurial attitude. The authors will also discuss what challenges there could be for principals to lead activities to develop an entrepreneurial attitude to learning and teaching.Design/methodology/approach– The paper integrates policy documents and scientific material concerning entrepreneurial attitude, leadership and school culture.Findings– In Sweden as well as internationally there are clear policy intentions for renewal of schoolwork in a more entrepreneurial direction. The most striking challenges for principals are to be enough creative within the boarders set by school authorities when setting vision and goals for the development of their schools to enhance an entrepreneurial attitude, building trust and distributing power among staff, along with having courage to think outside “the box”.Research limitations/implications– The point of departure is entrepreneurial attitude in education as understood in a Swedish context. International policies as well as research are discussed.Practical implications– The paper illuminates strategic ways of thinking and acting according to leadership in an entrepreneurial learning school context.Originality/value– The role of principals as well as the significance of culture in a school context focused on developing an entrepreneurial attitude is quite often discussed in research. School differs from business in that there are more restrictions set by school authorities. The paper shows an undeveloped area which can be useful to identify and problematize challenges for leadership.