Digital Transformation of Vocational Schools in Switzerland : The Importance of Innovative School Management Behavior

Abstract

Due to their close connection to the working world, digital transformation is particularly important for vocational schools. To ensure the sustainable integration of digital media into everyday school life, a holistic school improvement approach is necessary. In this context, school leadership plays a key role as the initiator and driver of relevant development processes. This study first examines the current development state of the digital transformation in vocational schools in Switzerland. Building on this, it investigates whether there are relations between the digital status quo and innovative school leadership practices. The data were collected in spring 2023 and the sample consists of 320 school management members from 135 vocational schools. The findings indicate that the digital development status of vocational schools in Switzerland is generally assessed positively. Based on the assessments of their schools’ digital development status, three distinct profiles of school management members emerge: those perceiving their schools as digitally advanced, digitally average, or having digital development potential. Innovative leadership practices are more common among school management members who perceive their schools as more digitally advanced. The study also reveals differences between language regions and financial resources depending on the stage of digitalization-related development. The results highlight the crucial role of school leadership in promoting digital transformation. Finally, education policy measures—such as language-region-specific support programs—are discussed.