A1 Journal article (refereed)
Leadership in early childhood education : Cross-cultural case studies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2023)

Fonsén, E., Marchant, S., & Ruohola, V. (2023). Leadership in early childhood education : Cross-cultural case studies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Educational Management Administration and Leadership, Online First. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432231194849

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Fonsén, Elina; Marchant, Shaireen; Ruohola, Vivianne

Journal or series: Educational Management Administration and Leadership

ISSN: 1741-1432

eISSN: 1741-1440

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 15/08/2023

Volume: Online First

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432231194849

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/89125

Abstract

Using a cross-cultural comparative study approach, this study analyses and compares the leadership discourses revealed through interviews with early childhood education (ECE) leaders in Finland and Singapore. The interviews were conducted both before the COVID-19 outbreaks in 2018 and during the pandemic in 2021. Conducted as focus group discussions, the data were analysed using discursive analysis. Finnish ECE leaders’ identified discourses that revealed ‘pedagogically focused leadership’ and the ‘desire for distributed pedagogical leadership’. In Singapore, the interviews highlighted discourses related to ‘community spirit emerging from challenges’ and the ‘deepening of management demands’. An overall analysis of the discourses showed that COVID-19 resulted in changes in leadership discourses revealing that leadership was characterised with ‘leading from a distance’ and an ‘emphasis on instructions and regulations’. Despite the challenges, leaders continue to place an importance on pedagogy in their practice. The study also showed that although cultural differences in leadership discourses were identified, time as a factor, remains significant as a crucial aspect for leadership in both countries.

Keywords: leadership (properties); leadership (activity); managers and executives; early childhood education and care; cultural differences; COVID-19; pandemics

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 2