Barnehagestyrerens opplevelse av handlingsrom gjennom en kommunesammenslåing

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Author
Nesset, G. H., & Moen, I. Ø.
Year
2023

Purpose

This book chapter focuses on how reorganisation in new compositions of networks affects kindergarten coordinators’ experience of agency through change processes in a municipal merger. With empirical data collected from two out of six newly established coordinator networks, the study is based on the research question: What experiences of agency do kindergarten coordinators have during change processes in a municipal merger?

Result

The study shows that kindergarten coordinators experience greater individual agency after the municipal merger, partly because the middle management role has been removed. At the same time, they experience that the absence of clear guidelines and increased administrative tasks creates challenges. The study also finds that participation in a professional learning community with other coordinators and trust from the owner during change processes are significant for the coordinators’ perception of agency.

Design

The study sample consists of eight kindergarten coordinators with extensive experience running kindergartens and in the role of coordinators. They are divided into two out of six newly established coordinator networks in a newly merged municipality in Norway. The study uses focus group interviews as a method for data collection.

References

Nesset, G. H., & Moen, I. Ø. (2023). Barnehagestyrerens opplevelse av handlingsrom
gjennom en kommunesammenslåing. I M. Øhra & K. Rydjord Tholin (Red.), Handlingsrom i utdanningsprofesjoner. Universitetsforlaget.