Recognizing, Determining, and Addressing Entrepreneurial Innovations By Superintendents of Emerging or Established Educational Service Agencies

Abstract

This dissertation describes how entrepreneurial superintendents of educational service agencies (ESAs) recognize, determine and address common and distinct innovative characteristics within emerging or established regional educational environments. Because internal and external factors assist in recognizing innovative practices, this study verifies how superintendents obtain this information and reviews internal standard operating procedures. This study also explores if entrepreneurial activities can be replicated at other ESAs. The supporting roles of staff and governing board members of entrepreneurial ESAs are examined from superintendents‘ perspectives. This national study utilized an online questionnaire with 34 entrepreneurial ESA superintendents participating from 34 states and two state specific case studies from Minnesota and Pennsylvania, representing an emerging and established entity. This study concludes with summary analyses of the data, conclusions are offered, and suggestions are made for further study.