Informal groups in school organizations: An approach through educational management

Abstract

This paper aims to characterize the informal groups existing in public schools in the district of Santa Marta (Colombia), as well as to unveil the factors which cause such groups to exist. It aims too at analyzing their influences on educational quality. Methodologically-wise, the study builds upon an ethnographic approach, based on the perspective of complementary instruments, such as: documentary analysis, field diaries, participant observation and in-depth interviews to understand the social reality of educational organizations. As preliminary findings, several informal groups are found to exist within the legal structures, groups that result from factors such as common interests, friendship, shared ideological positions and sports and cultural practices. The main conclusion of this study is that there may be relationships between the presence of the groups and educational quality.

Keywords

• Grupos informales
• relaciones sociales
• organizaciones escolares
• influencias en las organizaciones
• calidad educativa.