Designing a Learning-Oriented Succession Planning Model for Elementary School Principals

Somayeh Saadati; Fakhreddin Ahmadi; Hamid  Shafizadeh

Authors

Somayeh Saadati PHD Student, Department of Educational Management, Ga.C., Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0717-3406
Fakhreddin Ahmadi Department of Educational Management, Ga.C., Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1571-1023
Hamid Shafizadeh Department of Educational Management, Ga.C., Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7472-2896

Keywords:

succession planning, learning-oriented approach, elementary school principals

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to design a succession planning model for elementary school principals using a learning-oriented approach.

Methods and Materials: This study was conducted using an exploratory qualitative approach and Attride-Stirling’s thematic network analysis. The research population consisted of experts in the field of educational sciences, including faculty members specializing in educational administration and senior administrators within the education system who had relevant academic and executive experience in succession planning. Snowball sampling was employed. In the fieldwork phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted either in person or online. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and imported into MAXQDA for organization and analysis. Through thematic analysis, the data and information required for the study were identified, analyzed, summarized, and classified. To ensure the quality of the findings, Lincoln and Guba’s criteria of credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability were applied.

Findings: The findings indicated that learning-oriented succession planning for elementary school principals could be represented by a model comprising 90 basic themes, 14 organizing themes, and six global themes: personal characteristics and competencies of succession candidates; prerequisites and reasons for implementing the succession process; the four stages of selecting and training a successor; managers’ and the organization’s duties and responsibilities toward the successor; the process evaluation stage; and the assessment of outcomes and reasons for process failure.

Conclusion: Based on the findings, a succession planning model for elementary school principals is more effective when it is grounded in self-directed learning, the use of experience, continuous reflection, and professional interaction.

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