The mechanism and impact of cross‐school networks on principals' professional capital: A qualitative study on Master Principal Studios in China

Abstract This study explores how cross‐school networks, namely, the Master Principal Studios (MPS) initiative in China, can enhance the professional capital of school principals. In doing so, this study investigates the impact of these networks on educational leadership and school improvement efforts. This qualitative study conducted purposive sampling of 13 MPSs across various administrative levels in China. Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews with 13 MPS hosts, 19 studio members, 10 studio students and 4 studio assistants. The data were analysed using a two stage coding process, initial coding followed by thematic analysis to identify key patterns. Findings indicated that MPSs in China have significantly strengthened principals' professional capital by fostering knowledge exchange, improving leadership quality and promoting educational equity through their cross‐school network structure, collective activities and visible outputs. This study identifies mechanism of how cross‐school networks like MPS in China can cultivate principals' professional capital by improving their human, social and decisional capital. This study provides valuable insights for global policymakers and educators, who can use such networks to develop school leaders' professional capital and foster systemic change in education.