An Ethnographic Study of School Culture and Organization Based on Schein’s Model: A Case Study of Two Primary Schools in Mashhad

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to study the ethnographic organizational culture of the two primary schools in Mashhad based on Schein's model.Methodology: This study was applied in terms of purpose and ethnography with a qualitative approach. The study sample consisted of 15 principals, deputies, teachers and students in two primary schools for girls and boys in the city of Mashhad in the academic year 2019-20 who were selected in a purposeful manner and according to the principle of saturation. Sample volume adequacy was determined based on theoretical saturation. In order to collect data, semi-participatory observation and semi-structured interviews were used and for data analysis, coding technique was used in three stages of open, axial and selective coding. The validity of the results was provided by the members of the research team based on the four criteria of Goba and Lincoln, with the assurance of the "authenticity" of the data, as well as the coding and review.Findings: The results showed the identification and extraction of 37 selective categories at three levels of behavioral patterns (18 selective codes), values ​​and norms (12 selective codes), and fundamental assumptions and beliefs (7 selective codes) based on Schein's view. Out of 436 open codes, 227 open codes at the level of behavioral patterns, 121 open codes at the level of values ​​and beliefs, and 88 open codes at the level of basic assumptions were identified. Out of a total of 88 central codes, 42 codes were extracted at the level of behavioral patterns, 29 codes at the level of values ​​and norms, and 17 codes at the level of basic assumptions of organizational culture. Important features of organizational culture at the level of behavioral patterns can be poor social interaction between school members and inappropriate behavior of school staff with students and at the level of values ​​and norms to cooperation, social empathy with parents and student motivation, and at the level of assumptions to cooperation. He mentioned the cooperation of parents and students in school affairs, students' discipline, school identity, monitoring and management of staff disciplinary behavior, and staff accountability.Conclusion: Given the dominance of bureaucratic, formal and controlling organizational culture characteristics in the studied schools and the dichotomy between bureaucracy and participation in the three levels of organizational culture, it is necessary to pay special attention to the soft and multi-layered category of school organizational culture. Especially in the field of teaching and learning, in the educational policy-making and decision-making process at the local and national levels by educational policy makers, especially school principals.