Entrepreneurial academies - myth or reality? The perceptions of senior academy leaders.

Daniels, David T. (2012). Entrepreneurial academies - myth or reality? The perceptions of senior academy leaders. University of Birmingham. Ed.D.

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Abstract

The ‘Academies Programme’ has been the subject of limited research and virtually none focusing on their ‘entrepreneurial’ nature. As an inaugural piece of research, the research methodology was that of a survey, based upon semi-structured interviews of Senior Leaders in academies. The theoretical basis of the research is drawn from the modelling work published by Woods et al (2007). Emerging from the research are a number findings about entrepreneurism in academies based on the perceptions of Senior Leaders. These relate to: the entrepreneurial differences between earlier and recent ‘convertor’ academies; the impact of ‘chain’ academies; and the almost unanimous perception by those interviewed that academies are primarily focused on ‘social entrepreneurism’. From an initial review of the Woods et al (2007) ‘Lens Model’, the findings lead to a revision of the model to express the apparent predominant perception of social entrepreneurism in academies and the postulation of additional conceptual models. With the number of academies already standing at over fifteen hundred it is now apposite to consider the implications of the findings of this thesis, This thesis will be of interest to current and future academy Senior Leaders, new academies, researchers wishing to take forward the limited historical research, and policy makers for whom there are some major challenges to be faced in re-defining the nature of the ‘academy movement’.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ed.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ed.D.

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