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Relationship between Leadership and Characteristics of Learning Organizations in Deployed Military Units: An Exploratory Study

Author

Listed:
  • Raffaella Di Schiena

    (Royal Military Academy, Rue Hobbema 8, 1000 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Geert Letens

    (Royal Military Academy, Rue Hobbema 8, 1000 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Eileen Van Aken

    (Virginia Tech, 250 Durham Hall, MC 0118, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA)

  • Jennifer Farris

    (Texas Tech, Lubbock, TX 79409-3061, USA)

Abstract

Previous research has shown that military units operating in the context of risky missions display the characteristics of a Learning Organization. The present work provides preliminary exploratory evidence about the association between Learning Organization characteristics and leadership styles used by military leaders in the field. Based on the literature, we hypothesized that higher Learning Organization characteristics would be associated with a more transformational style of leadership that inspires followers. With this purpose, the five characteristics of a Learning Organization as defined by Peter Senge (Systems Thinking, Team Learning, Shared Vision, Mental Models, and Personal Mastery) and leadership styles as defined by the multifactor leadership model of Bass and Avolio (Transformational, Transactional, and Passive-Avoidant), were measured among commanding officers who had recently served in a mission abroad. Associations with organizational outcomes (Extra-Effort, Effectiveness, and Satisfaction) were also investigated for both Learning Organization characteristics and leadership styles. The correlations showed that Learning Organization characteristics were highly related to Transformational leadership dimensions, and also with Transactional leadership based on Contingent Rewards; meanwhile no association was found with a Passive-Avoidant leadership. Organizational outcomes were also related to Transformational leadership, Contingent Rewards and to various characteristics of a Learning Organization. Implications of these results, as well as avenues for future research, are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Raffaella Di Schiena & Geert Letens & Eileen Van Aken & Jennifer Farris, 2013. "Relationship between Leadership and Characteristics of Learning Organizations in Deployed Military Units: An Exploratory Study," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 3(3), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:3:y:2013:i:3:p:143-165:d:28782
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rabia Salman & Muhammad Farooq Shabbir & Muhammad Salman Shabbir & Sadaf Hafeez, 2011. "The Role of Leadership in Developing an ICT Based Educational Institution into Learning Organization in Pakistan," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 1(3 Special), pages 205-219, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Svajone Bekesiene & Rasa Smaliukiene, 2022. "Personal Growth under Stress: Mediating Effects of Unit Cohesion and Leadership during Mandatory Military Training," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-17, August.

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