Organizational Culture in Schools: Overcoming Digital Policy Resistance Through a Coaching Approach

Authors

  • Neneng Hendriyani Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
  • Iyan Rusyana Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
  • Sofyan Hadiwijaya Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
  • Yasmika Baihaqi Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0775-2182
  • Siswantoyo Siswantoyo Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v18i3.10014

Keywords:

digital transformation, educational coaching, resistance to change, school organizational culture

Abstract

Digital transformation in schools often encounters resistance arising from limited technological competencies, increased workloads, and uncertainty about organizational change. This study explored how school organizational culture and coaching-related leadership practices contribute to addressing resistance to digital policy implementation. A qualitative case study was conducted in a school within the administrative area of the Branch of the Education Office, Region I, West Java Province, Indonesia. Participants included school principals, teachers, and educational personnel selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis. Analysis followed the interactive model of Miles et al., involving data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. Credibility was supported through source and methodological triangulation and member checking. Resistance to digital policies was associated with concerns about additional workloads, limited digital competencies, and difficulties adapting to unfamiliar technologies. Collaborative organizational practices, including peer support and shared learning, appeared to facilitate adaptation. Coaching-related leadership practices involving reflective discussions, mentoring, and practical assistance were perceived as helping teachers develop confidence and navigate technological challenges. The findings suggest that collaborative organizational culture and supportive leadership practices can facilitate school personnel's adaptation to digital policies. Integrating reflective dialogue and professional support into school leadership may help address resistance to organizational change. However, the case study design does not establish causal effectiveness.

References

Aquino, J., Alarcón, R., Guevara, L., Bravo-Jaico, J., Germán, N., Valdivia-Salazar, C., & Tesén-Arroyo, A. (2025). Impact of digital transformation: Assessing the knowledge and adoption of disruptive technologies in a higher education institution. Frontiers in Computer Science, 7, Article 1611952.

Awad, J. A., & Martín-Rojas, R. (2024). Digital transformation influence on organisational resilience through organisational learning and innovation. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 13(1), Article 69.

Bamford, A., Mackew, N., Golawski, A., & Nieuwerburgh, C. (n.d.). Coaching in education: Getting better results for students, educators and parents. [Publication details require verification].

Bond, M., Marín, V. I., Dolch, C., Bedenlier, S., & Zawacki-Richter, O. (2018). Digital transformation in higher education: A systematic review of the literature. Computers & Education, 122, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.03.009

Cliffton, J., Awang, M., & Mansor, M. (2024). Strategic leadership as a catalyst for organizational culture transformation in Sarawak’s TVET institutions. Management Research Journal, 13(2), 28–37.

Collins, C., Murphy, R., & Brown, M. (2025). The power of coaching in the professional learning and development of school leaders: An ecological framework and critical insights from a systematic review. Frontiers in Education, 10, Article 1601455.

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Dofinsa, T., Restu, R., & Gistituati, N. (2025). Situational leadership in facing digital transformation in the Industrial 4.0 era: In improving teacher performance. Mudir: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan, 7(2), 303–308.

Grant, A. M. (2017). The third ‘generation’ of workplace coaching: Creating a culture of quality conversations. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, 10(1), 37–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/17521882.2016.1266005

Khofi, M. B. (2025). Change management to overcome senior teacher resistance to educational digitalisation. IJIEM: International Journal of Islamic Educational Management, 1(1), 1–14.

Laufer, M., Deacon, B., Mende, M. A., & Schäfer, L. O. (2025). Leading with trust: How university leaders can foster innovation with educational technology through organizational trust. Innovative Higher Education, 50(1), 303–327.

Lewis, K. D., & DeSantis, J. (2024). Exploring the role of instructional coaching in a shifting classroom technology landscape. Journal of Interdisciplinary Teacher Leadership, 8(1), 1–29.

Liao, Y. C., Ottenbreit-Leftwich, A., Glazewski, K., & Karlin, M. (2021). Coaching to support teacher technology integration in elementary classrooms: A multiple case study. Teaching and Teacher Education, 104, Article 103384.

Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (n.d.). Criteria for assessing naturalistic inquiries as reports.

Lukito, D., Suharnomo, S., Perdhana, M. S., & Jayanti, S. T. (2025). Digital organizational culture: Concept and scale development. The Winners, 26(1), 73–84.

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Oreg, S. (2006). Personality, context, and resistance to organizational change. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 15(1), 73–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/13594320500451247

Porfírio, J. A. F., Santos, P., & Rodrigues, R. M. (2024). Digital transformation in family businesses: An analysis of drivers with fsQCA. Sustainability, 16(23), Article 10326. https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310326

Solowati, I., Kurniasari, L., Amalia, F., & Soedjono. (2026). Coaching-based academic supervision as a strategy to improve teachers’ professional performance: A qualitative case study in secondary school. Journal of Educational Sciences, 10(1), 1352–1363. https://doi.org/10.31258/jes.10.1.p.1352-1363

Syah, M. B. (2024). Resistance to digital innovation: A systematic review in school environments. [Journal title requires verification], 9(2), 52–57.

van Nieuwerburgh, C. (2012). Coaching in education: Getting better results for students, educators, and parents. Karnac Books.

Witthöft, J., Aydin, B., & Pietsch, M. (2025). Leading digital innovation in schools: The role of the open innovation mindset. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 57(6), 1430–1449.

Zakiyyah, D., & Abidin, M. (2025). The role of innovative organizational culture and digital transformation readiness in educational institution performance. Abjadia: International Journal of Education, 10(4), 933–941.

Zimmer, W. K., & Matthews, S. D. (2022). A virtual coaching model of professional development to increase teachers’ digital learning competencies. Teaching and Teacher Education, 109, Article 103544.

Downloads

Published

2026-09-30

How to Cite

Hendriyani, N., Rusyana, I., Hadiwijaya, S., Baihaqi, Y., & Siswantoyo, S. (2026). Organizational Culture in Schools: Overcoming Digital Policy Resistance Through a Coaching Approach. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 18(3), 4024–4032. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v18i3.10014

Citation Check