Surviving the reform: management usage of the garbage can model during implementation of reform

• Published in: Journal of educational administration Vol. 58; no. 3; pp. 373 - 387
• Main Authors: Tamir, Emanuel, Grabarski, Mirit K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Armidale Emerald Publishing Limited 08.06.2020; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Accountability; Administrator Attitudes; Barriers; Classification; Conflict of Interest; Curricula; Decision Making; Education reform; Educational Administration; Educational Change; Educational Quality; Elementary School Teachers; Goal setting; Junior High School Teachers; Learning; Policy Formation; Risk; Sanitation; School Administration; School effectiveness; School Policy; School principals; Success; Teacher Attitudes; Teachers; Teaching methods; Decision-making; Reform; Garbage can model; Conflict of interest
• ISSN: 0957-8234; 1758-7395
• DOI: 10.1108/JEA-09-2019-0169

PurposeThis paper aims to apply the garbage can model to identify factors that affect managerial decision-making processes in educational systems undergoing reforms.Design/methodology/approachThis paper used a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with 39 teachers and managers in schools undergoing a system-wide reform.FindingsThe paper presents examples for a typology of decision outcomes found in the model and provides explanations for their emergence. It shows that there are many challenges that are associated with reform implementation and suggests factors that need to be taken into account when planning and implementing a reform.Originality/valueSchool management and policy makers can learn about the risks that are associated with garbage can decision-making and the various risk factors. Practical suggestions are given to reduce the probability of suboptimal decision-making.