Research in the International Journal of Management in Education has looked at the various factors that affect a teacher’s behaviour in terms of innovation. Innovation, the research explains, is an important part of improving educational performance in an increasingly competitive environment.
Jimmy Ellya Kurniawan, Kuncoro Dewi Rahmawati, and Evan Tanuwijaya of the Universitas Ciputra Surabaya in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, carried out research across private schools there and their findings offer a clearer understanding of how the attitudes of teachers as well as their motivation and the organizational culture within which they work can shape their willingness to engage in innovative practices.
Educational innovation can drive teaching quality and student outcomes, the team adds. However, the factors that lead to what drives teachers to be innovative has not been researched in detail until now. The current work focuses on two key elements: learning orientation culture and self-determination. The researchers used the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), a psychological framework that links behaviour to one’s attitudes, social pressures, and perceived control, to show how these elements influence teachers.
TPB shows that our behaviour is affected not only by personal beliefs but also by societal norms and how much we feel in control of our actions. In the context of education, the researchers showed that the organizational culture of a school can help foster innovation. A learning orientation culture, where continuous learning and knowledge application are prioritized, encourages teachers to embrace this. Moreover, when coupled with self-determination or a sense of autonomy there is an even greater likelihood of engaging in innovative practices.
From a practical perspective, the study offers valuable insights for school administrators. It suggests that if they can create a positive environment that emphasizes a learning-oriented culture and support the autonomy of their teachers, they might significantly enhance innovative behaviour and so student outcomes as well as the job satisfaction of their teachers.
Kurniawan, J.E., Rahmawati, K.D. and Tanuwijaya, E. (2025) ‘School teacher’s innovative work behaviour model’, Int. J. Management in Education, Vol. 19, No. 7, pp.1–36.