ERIC Number: EJ821823
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Oct
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-3124
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Examining the Work of Boundary Spanning Leaders in Community Contexts
Miller, Peter Michael
International Journal of Leadership in Education, v11 n4 p353-377 Oct 2008
This qualitative study examined boundary spanning leadership in community-based contexts. The study focused on exceptional leaders of university-school-community partnerships in two urban regions of the USA. The findings indicate that boundary spanners are aided by contextual knowledge, interpersonal skills, trust and connectedness, but they also suggest that they are motivated by an underlying community loyalty and a fundamental, socially conscious impetus--one which invites active advocacy for the oppressed via strategic collaboration. Accordingly, boundary spanners were compared with community organizers and described as "institutional infiltrators organizing for community advancement". Although leaders with the skill and pedigree of those examined here are hard to come by, it was encouragingly suggested that, once found, effective boundary spanners can help develop sustainable boundary spanning infrastructures within their communities. (Contains 8 notes.)
Descriptors: Integrated Services, Qualitative Research, Partnerships in Education, School Community Relationship, Context Effect, Urban Areas, Interviews, Interpersonal Competence, Trust (Psychology), Motivation, Advocacy, Disadvantaged, Community Development, Administrator Role, College School Cooperation, Leaders
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Elementary Secondary Education; High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A