How A Change, the Implementation of a Walking Bus, Was Managed Using Transformational Leadership Strategies

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my gratitude towards my research facilitator, family and friends for their constant belief and support, as well as, the guidance they provided for conducting this research, without which I would have never been able to do conduct this research.

DECLARATION

I, (Your name), would like to declare that the research conducted in the thesis, and all the contents included solely stand for my individual work without any external assistance, and this work has not been submitted for any examination at academic, as well as, professional level previously. Furthermore, this thesis represents my own views and may not necessary reflect the views of my institution.

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Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of implementation of a change through implementing a walking bus scheme at the prep school. The main focus of this research was on the issue of managing this change through utilizing transformational leadership strategies. The research also analysed the significance of increasing physical activity among school-going children and the benefits for implementing the walking bus scheme at the prep school. The study follows the secondary research methods for the data collection and data analysis. Finally the research put forward the conclusions and suggestions for the future research.

Key Words:

Transformational leadership, change management, walking bus, physical activity

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1)Background of the Study1

1.2)Aims and Objectives2

1.3)Research questions2

1.4)Outline of the Study2

1.5)Time Scale3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW4

2.1)Role of Physical Activity4

2.2)Active Transportation5

2.3)The Walking Bus Scheme7

2.4)Benefits of Walking Bus School and Active Transportation7

2.5)Leadership Views and Definitions8

2.6)Leadership Styles9

2.61)Transactional Leadership Style10

2.62)Transformational Leadership10

2.7)Approaches to Change Management12

2.71)Planned Change12

2.72)Emergent Change12

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY14

4.1Research Design14

4.2Secondary Data Analysis14

4.3Qualitative Research14

4.4Research Philosophy15

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS16

4.5Planned Change16

4.6Transformational Leadership17

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION18

5.1Future Aspects19

5.2Suggestions for Practice19

REFERENCES20

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Children's active travel distance and overweight/obesity6

Figure 2: Distance walked and cycled per child (10-14 years) per year (kilometres)6

Figure 3: The development of Leadership Theories9

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Obesity and overweight issues has occurred due to the inactive lifestyle behaviours of people, which strongly relates to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes (Tremblay &Willms, 2000). Obesity and overweight rates, in adolescents and children, are specifically high in Australia, Canada, Japan, South Western Europe and the United States. Children's healthy development and growth requires a focused approach towards making physical activities a part of their daily lives. Physical activities may involve schemes such as implementation of a walking bus at school. There are several past researches that reflect that children who walk to school are more healthy and active (Tudor-Locke, Ainsworth, Adair, &Popkin, 2003). Walking may account for almost half of the total physical recommended activity for children, in countries where active commuting is a norm. The implementation of a walking bus scheme, in the prep school, is an initiative towards promoting an active and safe mode of transportation for children on their journey between home and school. A walking bus scheme refers to a group of children who, under the supervision of an adult, senior students, or school ...