THE ROLE OF SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S LEADERSHIP IN DEVELOPING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT TECHNOPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMS

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the role of school principals’ leadership in developing strategic partnership networks to support technopreneurship programs at State Vocational High Schools (SMKN) in Bogor City, Indonesia. A qualitative approach with a case study method was employed. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis involving various school stakeholders and external partners. The findings reveal that the principal plays a pivotal role as a transformational leader who initiates, builds, and manages partnerships with industries, higher education institutions, technopreneurship communities, local governments, and alumni. These partnerships include student internships, training, mentoring, collaborative research, and infrastructure and policy support. Such collaborations significantly contribute to enhancing students' technopreneurial skills and fostering student-run technology-based ventures. The study also finds that the success of these partnerships is influenced by the principal’s communication skills, personal credibility, and the shared vision between the school and its partners. This research contributes to the development of educational leadership theory by introducing strategic partnership-building capabilities as a critical dimension and expands understanding of the technopreneurship ecosystem in vocational education settings.