Klocko, Barbara A (2009) Superintendents as sensemakers in the design of sustainable schools. PhD thesis, Oakland University, USA.
Abstract
The impact of the superintendent in the design decision-making process of sustainable school buildings was examined in this study to determine whether superintendents who have more knowledge and commitment to sustainability have a greater influence on green building practices within their school districts than those who do not. Utilizing a mixed methods approach, concurrent triangulation strategy and multiple case studies, I explored the attitudes and influences of superintendents in 6 Midwestern school districts that had engaged in construction projects during the previous 5 years. Data sources included interviews, superintendent surveys, direct observation and archival materials. The data were organized into 2 overarching themes, leadership grit and expert networks. Both, when considered simultaneously, established that increased superintendents' knowledge and environmental concern impacted the implementation of sustainable school building practices. The major findings of this study are: (a) Leadership is the key to greening America's schoolhouses; (b) superintendents are inadequately prepared for dealing with issues regarding sustainability; (c) superintendents who utilized sensemaking as a decision-making strategy yielded high-quality decisions; and (d) superintendents who could articulate a vision of triple bottom line sustainability which incorporated the environmental, educational and economic principles of sustainability were viewed by constituents as effective stewards. Secondary findings included: (a) Superintendents have no formal means of acquiring information to advise decision-making; (b) Districts that assigned the chief role to another individual aside from the superintendent saved costs and allowed the superintendent to be the instructional leader; (c) Superintendents who committed to transparency in a building project received the support of the community; and (d) Superintendents who endorsed a positive attitude toward environmental issues displayed an eagerness to engage in the construction of a green school. This purposeful sampling provided rich data to support 3 distinct motivations for building green—social or educational, environmental and economic. Today, superintendents mindful of the triple bottom line regarding sustainability are leading the way toward a sustainable future.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Keane, W G |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | case studies; design decision; direct observation; green building; leadership; schools; sustainability |
| Index terms: | direct observation, school building, environmental issue, decision-making, survey, case study, environmental concern, mixed method, implementation, green building, interview, sampling, school district, design decision, construction project, strategy, triangulation, transparency, sensemaking, greening, motivation, commitment |
| Subjects: | production management, design practice, construction type, psychology, cognitive psychology, management, data collection methods, contractual arrangements, sustainable design, decision analysis, environmental issues, professional development, educational management, research design and methodology |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Risk Management, Information Management, Human Resources, Construction Technology, Sustainability, Business Strategy, Procurement, Organizational Design, Education, Project Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here