ABSTRACT

This study examines whether board diversity, board practices, and principal influence over board decisions impact board effectiveness across independent schools in Victoria, Australia, and to what extent board effectiveness is associated with academic and financial performance of the schools. Analyses were based on survey data from board Chairs and board members within independent schools. Results show that diversity of board composition and board practices contribute to increased board effectiveness, whereas board effectiveness is less robust in schools with stronger principal influence over board-level decision making. The results provide an indication that while some board attributes (i.e., diversity of board composition and board practices) indirectly influence school performance through their positive association with board effectiveness, excessive influence of the principal over board-level decisions may impair board effectiveness.

摘要

本研究考察了董事会多元化、董事会实践和对董事会决策的主要影响是否会影响澳大利亚维多利亚州独立学校的董事会有效性，以及董事会有效性在多大程度上与学校的学术和财务表现相关。分析基于独立学校董事会主席和董事会成员的调查数据。结果表明，董事会组成和董事会实践的多样性有助于提高董事会的有效性，而在校长对董事会决策的影响更大的学校中，董事会的有效性不太强。结果表明，虽然某些董事会属性（即董事会组成和董事会实践的多样性）通过与董事会有效性的正相关间接影响学校绩效，