Adaptive Leadership in Managing Organizational Change: Implementing Indonesia’s Merdeka Curriculum

Abstract

Background:

The implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum represents a significant educational reform in Indonesia that requires substantial organizational transformation at the school level. However, curriculum change often encounters challenges related to teacher readiness, organizational culture, resource limitations, and resistance to change.

Purpose:

This study aims to explore how adaptive leadership contributes to managing organizational change during the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in Indonesian schools.

Method:

Using a qualitative case study approach, this research investigates the adaptive leadership practices of school principals in facilitating curriculum transformation. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis involving school leaders and teachers engaged in the curriculum implementation process. The findings indicate that adaptive leadership plays a critical role through several dimensions: creating a shared vision, facilitating collaborative learning, empowering teachers, managing resistance, and developing organizational flexibility.

Findings:

The study contributes to the literature on educational change management by proposing an adaptive leadership framework for curriculum reform contexts. The findings highlight that successful curriculum implementation requires leaders who are capable of responding dynamically to complex challenges, fostering collective commitment, and building sustainable organizational capacity.