The Role of Administrator Characteristics on Perceptions of Innovativeness among Public School Administrators
Julie M. Hite
Brigham Young University
Ellen J. Williams
Brigham Young University
Sterling C. Hilton
Brigham Young University
Steven C. Baugh
Brigham Young University
Abstract
Pressures for reform require greater innovativeness among public school administrators than in the past. Perceptions of innovativeness, which function as administrators’ reality and influence participation in innovation, are reflected in their informal network relationships. Using network methods and descriptive statistics, this article explores a public school administrator network, highlighting the relationship of administrator characteristics (personal demographics, position, experience) on three different types of perceptions of innovativeness: (a) being perceived by others as innovative, (b) perceiving others as innovative, and (c) mutually perceiving each other as innovative. Findings indicate demographics of age and experience were related to administrators being perceived as innovative, suggesting the value of increased visibility and administrative stability. No association was found between administrator characteristics and either perceiving others or having mutual perceptions of innovation suggesting a potential lack of bias in who perceives others as innovative or in establishing mutual perceptions of innovation.