AN ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM?
| Published date | 01 February 1975 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb009735 |
| Date | 01 February 1975 |
| Pages | 73-80 |
| Author | HAROLD W. BOLES |
| Subject Matter | Education |
THE JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION
VOLUME XIII, NUMBER 2 OCTOBER, 1975
AN ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM?
HAROLD \V. BOLES
The team concept in school administration has been receiving attention and lip service in
many school districts throughout the United States and, to a lesser degree, in Australia. In
1971 the AASA published a book on the team concept. The major ideas have been ex-
pounded in both the United States and Australia for the past decade under titles such as
"democratic administration", "group decision-making", "Theory Y", "Blake-Mouton 9,9
style" and "Organization Development". A university study team found a situation in a
Michigan school district which, if it is typical, as seems likely, indicates that some ad-
ministrators may try to introduce the team concept and implement it with MBO without
either concept being understood by "team" members. This single-district study resulted in
some generalized conclusions, an evaluative-instrument form, and some forms for reporting
data that may be of practical help to anyone who would like to implement the ad-
ministrative team concept. This article may help other persons to obviate difficulties, ad-
ministrator disappointment and staff disillusion.
INTRODUCTION
The team concept in school administration has been and is receiving at-
tention and lip service in school districts throughout the United States and
there is mention of it in the Australian literature. The American Associa-
tion of School Administrators1 published a book on the team concept. The
major ideas inherent in that concept have been expounded, both in the
United States and Australia, for the past decade under titles such as
"democratic administration", "group decision-making", "Theory Y",
"Blake-Mouton 9,9 style" and "Organization Development".
THE CONCEPT
Basically, the concept infers an involvement of administrators at all
levels in planning, implementing and decision-making
when such activities
directly affect the professional
responsibilities
of those individuals who
comprise the "team". Management by objectives, or MBO, is often
perceived as an appropriate system for implementing the concept.
Before a team is organized, however, it is necessary that each individual
involved know explicitly what is expected of him and of other team
members. Otherwise, there can be no concerted team effort.
HAROLD W. BOLES, currently Visiting Fellow at the Western Australia Institute of
Technology, is Professor of Educational Cadetships at Western Michigan University,
Kalamazoo. He holds the degrees of B S. (Indiana State University), M.A. and Ph.D. (Ohio
State University).
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