Caruso, Massimiliano (2021) Agile Scrum: a case study in organisational culture and emergent leadership in two Christian faith-based schools. Other Degree thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

This case study examined the impact on the evolving leadership cultures in two schools following their participation in the Smarter Schools National Partnerships Program (SSNPP) an initiative of the former Federal Labor Government (2007–2013). The focus was on the co-developed interventions and strategies designed to meet the aims and objectives of the SSNPP, with a particular focus on the implementation of an adapted version of an inclusive participatory approach titled the Agile Scrum Method. Of the fifteen schools supported by the researcher through the SSNPP, two were selected for further engagement as both schools had demonstrated a keen intent to participate in the SSNP program. The principals of these two schools were also supportive in co-developing additional initiatives and investigations in order to enhance their respective school cultures and leadership approaches. As Principal Advisor and Cluster Leader, I have the dual role of author and researcher. This dual role is further explored below. This case study was underpinned by an ethnographic approach that focused on the social interactions, behaviours and perspectives that occurred within groups, teams, organisations and communities (Reeves, Kuper & Hodges, 2008). The conceptual framework of this research was underpinned by Bolman and Deal’s Frames (2008, 2017) research in investigating organisational cultures. Qualitative data was drawn from several sources, including semistructured Interviews, documents such as newsletters, minutes of meetings, school websites and notes from the researcher’s journal. 3 The results highlighted the importance of principal leadership in the creation of highly collaborative and distributive leadership cultures in both schools. Faith and religion played a major role in influencing a predominant servant leadership style. The Agile Scrum process supported the creation of conditions of collaborative cultures and distributed leadership in both schools. This study concluded with practical recommendations for school principals, teachers, and policy makers interested in the development of principal and teacher leadership and collaborative school cultures.

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