Enhancing understanding of broad-based pedagogical leadership in Finnish early childhood education through cultural artifacts
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21784196 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Hannele Roponen (0000-0001-7470-9985, corresponding author), Elina Fonsén (0000-0002-2547-905X), Tuulikki Ukkonen-Mikkola (0000-0002-1826-1714), Raisa Ahtiainen (0000-0003-1925-6578) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 54 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 1009-1031 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Educational Management Administration & Leadership (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1741-1432 • E-ISSN: 1741-1440 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/17411432241285413 |
| OpenAlex | W4403776356 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 20 |
This ethnographic case study examines the artifacts of the leadership culture of one Finnish early childhood education (ECE) center and how they appear from the perspective of broad-based pedagogical leadership. Qualitative content analysis with a directed approach was guided by Pasquale Gagliardi’s and Mary Hatch’s definitions of artifacts. In addition, artifacts were analyzed through broad-based pedagogical leadership. Based on the analysis, thirteen activities, six verbal expressions, and thirteen objects of leadership culture were found in the data. Most of the artifacts were indirect pedagogical leadership, and some had several purposes due to staff interpretations. The interpretations varied both between the leaders and the staff but also within the staff. The findings indicate that symbolic leadership is present in many leadership situations and that a lack of knowledge about the symbolic and cultural dimensions of leadership can undermine leaders’ good intentions. The results of the study can be utilized in practical work in leading organizational cultures and in structuring pedagogical leadership in ECE. Additionally, the research has theoretical implications by enriching leadership research in ECE and enhancing the concept of broad-based pedagogical leadership, which can be used in leadership training programs in the field of education
Early childhood education · Educational leadership · Instructional leadership · Pedagogy · Sociology · Early Childhood Education and Development · Education and Critical Thinking Development · Psychology · Teacher Education and Leadership Studies
Structuring Organizations
Twelve tips for conducting qualitative research interviews
Early childhood centre directors coping with stress
Ethnographic Methods
Leadership Effects on Student Learning Mediated by Teacher Emotions
Rituals and Routines
Ethnography
Three Approaches to Qualitative Content Analysis
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |