Same but different: head teachers′ perceptions of leadership in Kenya and Sweden

Abstract

This article compares Kenyan and Swedish head teachers’ views on leadership. Data were collected by 20 interviews in each country and analysed to generate descriptive categories, themes and conceptual ideas. In order to support the qualitative analysis, differences between the two groups were tested by Chi².

Kenyan and Swedish head teachers have a lot in common. They describe and analyse their role along the same dimensions. Even though similarities dominate the picture some differences appear. The Kenyan head teachers, for example, emphasise results and a vertical and external dependency in contrast to the Swedes, who stress staff concern, development and a reliance on horizontal relationships. This difference in orientation is reflected in the perception of staff needs. The Kenyan head teachers regard them mostly as a hindrance to goal achievement while the Swedes express them in terms of consideration.

Noted differences could be interpreted in terms of situational as well as cultural factors.

Keywords:

• leadership
• management
• school
• head teachers
• cross-cultural