Oh Matron! Coupling role theory and the performance management of pastoral support staff in a boarding school.

Abstract The aim of this study is to explore the matron’s atypical role and attitudes to performance management amongst pastoral staff in an English independent co- educational boarding school. Data gathered from interviews with matrons, housemasters and housemistresses has been used to con...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Foster, Christopher
Format: Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)
Language:English
Published: 2014
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/28120/
Description
Summary:Abstract The aim of this study is to explore the matron’s atypical role and attitudes to performance management amongst pastoral staff in an English independent co- educational boarding school. Data gathered from interviews with matrons, housemasters and housemistresses has been used to construct – through the theoretical lenses of coupling and role theory – an understanding of some of issues that might affect the performance management of pastoral staff such as matrons. Theoretical thematic analysis within and across five boarding houses in the nested case study school suggests that the houses could be considered loosely coupled to each other but tightly coupled to some school level functions. The analysis also identifies matrons’ role divergence and different perceptions of performance management. The dissertation concludes that performance management might act as a compensatory mechanism to reduce role conflict in an organisation where loose coupling has attenuated the socialization from members of an individual employee’s role set. �