Abstract
In this study 12 intrapreneurial climate factors were selected for analysis in school districts. These have been identified in the business literature, as factors that encourage employee innovation. The factors studied were (1) the ability to waive standard policies, (2) provision of discretionary funds, (3) provision of release time and substitutes, (4) encouragement of employees to innovate, (5) the opportunity for intrapreneurs to follow through with their own ideas, (6) reasonable time for implementation before evaluation, (7) tolerance toward risk, (8) tolerance toward failure, (9) "freedom from turfness" or avoidance of departmental jealousies, (10) allowing access to information from all departments, (11) allowance for cross-functional teams, and (12) recognition for intrapreneurial efforts. In addition, innovation in California school districts was studied. This study researched the degree to which each factor is evident in school districts and the degree to which the climate factors predict innovativeness. Data were collected by means of questionnaires mailed to a random sample of 801 school administrators in K-12 school districts in California. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and stepwise regression analysis. Respondents rated their districts as slightly more innovative than traditional. However, they reported that their communities perceived the districts as more traditional. The factors most frequently found were (1) encouragement of employees to innovate, (2) "provision of discretionary funds", and (3) access to information from all departments. One factor, waiving standard policies, had the strongest correlation with school administrators' perception of district innovativeness and accounted for 53% of the same influences as innovation. Only one additional factor, resources like time and substitutes was also significant at the 95% level as a predictor. The most innovative districts in the state encourage administrators and teachers to be intrapreneurial to a very high degree and clerical, maintenance, custodial and classroom aide personnel to a moderate degree. The other less innovative districts provide much less encouragement to all personnel. Results indicate that the theories proposed in the business literature are supported. It is recommended that school districts develop an intrapreneurial climate and make a concerted effort to encourage all employees to innovate. Providing opportunities to waive standard policies, and creating regular paid periods of student-free meeting time for school staff will foster innovation and keep schools current.