Requirements of entrepreneurial leadership in schools (Case study: Vocational schools in Mashhad)

The aim of this research was to identify the requirements of entrepreneurial leadership in vocational schools in Mashhad. The research method was a case study with a qualitative approach. In order to achieve the purpose of the research, the active vocational schools in entrepreneurship were identified and investigated. The key informants of this research included 15 principals of vocational schools who were known in the entrepreneurship and were selected in a purposeful method. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect information, and the obtained information was analyzed with interpretive analysis method. In order to ensure the validity of the findings, the research process, codings and researcher's notes were approved by the interviewees and methodology professors, another researcher was used to comprehensively review the codes, and the research process was documented in detail. The findings of the research showed that the requirements of entrepreneurial leadership in vocational schools can be classified into two levels: individual and organizational. Individual requirements were identified in 11 concepts and three main categories: personality traits (entrepreneurial attitude, motivation, patience, experience, and encouraging others), managerial competencies (leadership style, team building, risk-taking), knowledge competencies (entrepreneurial knowledge, planning, marketing). Organizational requirements were also identified in 11 concepts, which were grouped into three main categories: legal and structural requirements (conditions for selecting managers, bylaws and regulations, support of senior managers), educational requirements (entrepreneurial training, practical and applied education, basic education and creative experience), economic requirements (investment and financing, profitability, suitable equipment and participation of people and industries)