Understanding Principal Turnover: An International Literature Review with a Narrative Synthesis Approach

Maria Styf; Tony Bush; Derek Glover; Katina Thelin; Sandra Lund; Susanne Sahlin

doi:10.30828/real.1818328

Understanding Principal Turnover: An International Literature Review with a Narrative Synthesis Approach

Abstract

In recent years, principal turnover has attracted increasing scholarly attention in educational leadership, resulting in a growing body of research. While most studies have originated from the American context, with a small fraction exploring other countries, there is a gap in synthesising literature from an international perspective. This study addresses that gap by conducting a narrative literature synthesis spanning from 2009 to 2024. The aim of this study is to deepen the understanding of principal turnover from a broader international standpoint than previous literature reviews. This study investigates the causes and consequences, as well as the similarities and differences in turnover across countries. The results reveal emerging themes from 74 papers across 14 different countries, with more than half (42 of 74) being US-based. Despite the predominance of US-based research, similar definitions of turnover and negative consequences are reported internationally. Contextual factors, including school location and type, play a crucial role in turnover dynamics. For instance, rural contexts consistently demonstrate negative outcomes in both US and Chinese studies, whereas variations are observed within urban districts. In conclusion, this literature synthesis enhances our understanding of principal turnover by incorporating international perspectives and emphasizes the necessity for further research beyond the US.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Leadership in Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Maria Styf ^*
0000-0001-5631-2714
Sweden

Tony Bush
0000-0001-8995-6057
United Kingdom

Derek Glover
0000-0000-0000-0000
United Kingdom

Katina Thelin This is me
0000-0002-4897-6657
Sweden

Sandra Lund
0000-0003-4209-0406
Sweden

Susanne Sahlin
0000-0003-3481-1648
Sweden

Publication Date

June 27, 2026

Submission Date

February 16, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 28, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1818328

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA25YN55FY

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Styf, M., Bush, T., Glover, D., Thelin, K., Lund, S., & Sahlin, S. (2026). Understanding Principal Turnover: An International Literature Review with a Narrative Synthesis Approach. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, 11(2), 376-417. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1818328

AMA

1.Styf M, Bush T, Glover D, Thelin K, Lund S, Sahlin S. Understanding Principal Turnover: An International Literature Review with a Narrative Synthesis Approach. REAL. 2026;11(2):376-417. doi:10.30828/real.1818328

Chicago

Styf, Maria, Tony Bush, Derek Glover, Katina Thelin, Sandra Lund, and Susanne Sahlin. 2026. “Understanding Principal Turnover: An International Literature Review With a Narrative Synthesis Approach”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 11 (2): 376-417. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1818328.

EndNote

Styf M, Bush T, Glover D, Thelin K, Lund S, Sahlin S (June 1, 2026) Understanding Principal Turnover: An International Literature Review with a Narrative Synthesis Approach. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 11 2 376–417.

IEEE

[1]M. Styf, T. Bush, D. Glover, K. Thelin, S. Lund, and S. Sahlin, “Understanding Principal Turnover: An International Literature Review with a Narrative Synthesis Approach”, REAL, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 376–417, June 2026, doi: 10.30828/real.1818328.

ISNAD

Styf, Maria - Bush, Tony - Glover, Derek - Thelin, Katina - Lund, Sandra - Sahlin, Susanne. “Understanding Principal Turnover: An International Literature Review With a Narrative Synthesis Approach”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 11/2 (June 1, 2026): 376-417. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1818328.

JAMA

1.Styf M, Bush T, Glover D, Thelin K, Lund S, Sahlin S. Understanding Principal Turnover: An International Literature Review with a Narrative Synthesis Approach. REAL. 2026;11:376–417.

MLA

Styf, Maria, et al. “Understanding Principal Turnover: An International Literature Review With a Narrative Synthesis Approach”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, vol. 11, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 376-17, doi:10.30828/real.1818328.

Vancouver

1.Maria Styf, Tony Bush, Derek Glover, Katina Thelin, Sandra Lund, Susanne Sahlin. Understanding Principal Turnover: An International Literature Review with a Narrative Synthesis Approach. REAL. 2026 Jun. 1;11(2):376-417. doi:10.30828/real.1818328