Overview
Research group description
This research collaboration between The University of Jyväskylä and The Global Institute for Finnish Education at The Education University of Hong Kong explores how school leaders and teachers in Finland and Hong Kong engage with and commit to the development of schools and early childhood education settings.
Introduction
In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, the agency of teachers and the strategies of school leaders are central to meaningful development. This study investigates how educators in Finland and Hong Kong perceive, enact, and support educational innovation and leadership. By focusing on entrepreneurial teacher behaviour, we aim to identify how individual and collective actions contribute to long-term school development.
Research Objectives
- Examine how leaders and teachers commit to educational development.
- Investigate entrepreneurial teacher behaviours and their impact.
- Compare practices across Finnish and Hong Kong systems.
- Contribute to a broader understanding of innovation and leadership in education.
Methodology
Design: Cross-sectional, comparative study
Participants: 1 000 educators (teachers, assistants, and leaders) from Finland and Hong Kong
Data Collection: Online survey
Analysis: Descriptive and inferential statistics, multi-level modelling, cultural comparison
Research Project Timeline
Research Design: August 2024 – March 2025
Data Collection: April – August 2025
Data Analysis: September – December 2025
Dissemination: From early 2026
Impact
This research provides comparative insights into how educational leadership and teacher agency operate across contexts. It supports:
- Evidence-based strategies for school development
- Leadership practices that foster innovation
- Training programs that cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets in educators
- Intercultural understanding and international collaboration in education reform
