Entrepreneurial Leadership of Vocational Schools Principals in Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims at describing and explaining: (1) the caharacteristics of competitive and entrepreneurial-based school; (2) the characteristics of entrepreneurial leadership exercised by school principals; (3) the strategy used by school principals in practicing entrepreneurial leadership; and (4) the relationship between school and stakeholders in strengthening the practice of entrepreneurial leadership exercised by school principals. This study uses a qualitative approach under a multiple case study design. The results of the study show that: (1) competitive and entrepreneurial-based vocational schools have certain excellence compared to other vocational schools; (2) entrepreneurial leadership exercised by school principals is characterized by the entrepreneurial values; (3) in practicing entrepreneurial leadership, school principals use some strategies, such as making some innovations related to curriculum and learning methods, guiding the students, and empowering school staff and teachers in order to create competent graduates; the school principals also help graduate students to find job and to enter labor market, and to make the school to keep in touch with these graduates; and (4) these entrepreneurial-minded school principals are able to improve and maintain good relationship between school and both internal and external stakeholders.