Identifying Dimensions, Components, and Indicators of Entrepreneurship of Iraqi Secondary School Principals
Keywords:
Entrepreneurship , School Principals, Secondary Schools, Thematic Analysis, Educational LeadershipAbstract
This study aims to identify the dimensions, components, and indicators of entrepreneurship among Iraqi secondary school principals. The research employed an applied, qualitative design using thematic content analysis. Data were collected through a systematic review of relevant literature and semi-structured interviews with 18 theoretical and practical experts selected through purposive sampling based on theoretical saturation. Interviews were fully transcribed and analyzed using the thematic analysis approach supported by MaxQDA Analytics Pro 2018. The validity and reliability of data collection tools were assessed and confirmed. The analysis revealed three overarching dimensions of school principals’ entrepreneurship: the transformational dimension (including innovation, creativity, and risk-taking), which captures the capacity to drive change, enhance instructional processes, and implement innovative practices; the strategic dimension (including foresight, strategic thinking, and personal competence), which reflects data-driven decision-making, long-term planning, and effective resource utilization; and the social dimension (including communication and motivation), highlighting the establishment of constructive relationships, stakeholder engagement, and the creation of a supportive and motivating school climate. Collectively, these dimensions include multiple behavioral indicators that shape entrepreneurial leadership within secondary schools. The identified dimensions provide a comprehensive framework for conceptualizing entrepreneurial leadership among Iraqi secondary school principals and offer practical implications for designing training programs, enhancing school leadership practices, and fostering an entrepreneurial culture within the education system.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Abdulrazzaq Kadhim Lafta (Author); Ashraf Alsadat Hosseini Mirsafi; Soudabeh Azodolmolki (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
