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Values, Conflicts & Value Conflict Resolution: An Investigation of the Experiences of Educational Administrators

By

Krista A. Zupan

A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education

Department of Theory and Policy Studies in Education Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto

? Copyright by Krista A. Zupan (2012)

VALUES, CONFLICTS AND VALUE CONFLICT RESOLUTION Doctor of Education, 2012 Krista A. Zupan

Department of Theory and Policy Studies University of Toronto ABSTRACT

This dissertation reports on a study of educational administrators and the value conflicts experienced within their schools. The extensive review of literature on values in educational administration has determined very little consensus regarding the influence of values on the practice of educational administrators. A lack of common understanding about the definition of the term values exists along with variations and inconsistencies regarding the pervasiveness of values in educational administration. School leaders frequently encounter value conflicts and their resolution involves considerable degrees of decision making.

Participants in this study include members of the cohort of the Ed.D. Program in the Department of Theory and Policy Studies at the University of Toronto, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) as well as practising educational administrators with extensive experience in school leadership. As the researcher works within the Catholic school system, the majority of study participants are Catholic administrators who were accessible to the researcher for participation. A qualitative research methodology was employed and fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted which focused on the three main research questions. The following research questions were addressed in the study: 1. How do educational administrators see the role of values in their work? 2. What types of value conflicts do educational administrators experience?

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3. How do educational administrators resolve conflicts that stem from values issues? The findings herein indicate that administrators view values as extremely

important and relevant in their work. The influence of values on administrator behavior is evident in how leaders define the term value: as a code/set of rules and fundamental beliefs that guide daily interactions; and a basis for decision making. In terms of conflicts, administrators experience interpersonal conflicts frequently and attribute this type of conflict to differences in stakeholder values. Educational administrators resolve conflicts that stem from values issues by taking a moral stand which allows them to remain committed to their values.

The results of this study acknowledge and contribute to the existing field of studies relating to values and value conflict resolution within educational administration while simultaneously suggesting further implications for future research. The adoption of a values-based leadership model and its associated values clarification process is recommended for school leaders as a framework to deal with the existing realities of their complex role. This model has tremendous potential to transform the existing face of educational administration provided it is seamlessly integrated within educational organizations and becomes the new standard of leadership practice.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My quest for life-long learning was instilled in me at an early age from my parents, Rose Marie & Stan, both of whom always encouraged the pursuit of higher education. My mother, Rose Marie, has been my rock throughout this experience as with all other experiences in my life. Her endless patience, enthusiasm, encouragement, time and support that she provided me with throughout this journey (not to mention her eloquent turn of phrase and the red pen!) is unparalleled and I constantly strive to reach her standards for excellence which she demonstrates in everything that she does. I wish to thank her for everything that she has done, and continues to do, for me. As a lawyer, my father always had an insatiable thirst for knowledge which I inherited and I only wish he was here today to share in my accomplishments. My sister, Marla, is completing her own doctoral degree, and has been a source of support throughout with her encouraging messages and perceptive and insightful humor (Listen...). I know she will be successful in her own educational pursuit very soon. The best word that I can use to describe my husband Chris is patient and he has demonstrated this patience many times, over time, as I completed this degree. The final year of this degree was our first year of marriage so I would like to thank him for his on-going understanding, support, humor, help and use of "the wireless cans" as I endeavored to persevere to complete this degree. I first met Professor Suzanne Stiegelbauer when I took her course in values in the second year of the Ed.D. cohort program. I knew right away that I would ask her to be my Supervisor due to her kind, generous nature and wealth of experience. She has been extremely patient and supportive throughout this experience and I have learned a great deal from her. Thank you for all the time and encouragement that you so generously

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gave me throughout the years and please know that I greatly value everything you have done for me.

I wish also to thank my thesis committee members, Professor Blair Mascall & Professor Jim Ryan, for their time, insightful comments, suggestions & feedback throughout the process. The completion of this degree would not have been possible without your contributions so thank you very much!

Thank you also to my external thesis committee member, Professor Chris Branson, from the University of Waikato located in Hamilton, New Zealand. My work is influenced by the research you have completed and I am honored to have you on my committee. Thank you for your thoughtful comments, feedback, guidance and support; it is greatly appreciated.

I would also like to thank the participants of this research study for their time in discussing the important issues of values, conflicts and value conflict resolution. Your valuable insight into these critical issues helps in developing an understanding of the challenging role faced by school leaders in today's diverse society.

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