부산대학교 도서관

Two studies on innovation in international schools in Asia identified the role of leaders in diffusing innovations, practices in schools that promote innovation, and how schools can create a culture of innovation. Although the studies examined innovation through different lenses, both concluded there are some fundamental aspects to innovation schools can leverage to make change more strategic within the constructs of existing cultures and norms. Both studies also illuminated the importance of school leadership in the diffusion process. School leadership plays several roles in diffusing any innovations including identifying criteria for innovations that enter the school to match the existing school's mission and vision, developing a process for diffusing innovations, and identifying individuals within a school who act as change leaders and opinion leaders. Furthermore, school leaders who are familiar with the innovation they are attempting to institutionalize and who have cultivated a culture of innovation by communicating a clear vision are more likely to see innovations diffuse. Although the researchers sought to identify the leadership's role in diffusing innovations utilizing cases of international schools in Asia, they realized that attempting to theorize a one-size-fits-all approach to diffusing innovations within international schools would be impossible, given the cultural and organizational complexities given the cultural nuances of international schools. Rather, the aim is to provide school leaders and individuals who are drivers of educational change a more formalized knowledge base from which to draw when considering the introduction and diffusion of innovations within their organizations. The researchers are hopeful that, by providing a snapshot of best practices and current research in the field of innovation diffusion, school leaders will develop a deeper understanding and tools for implementation of innovations in their schools.