The purpose of this study was to delineate new dimensions of leader characteristics of amall unit commanders and derive, based on the outcome of the study, new hypotheses for future tests.
The sample consisted of 407 enlisted men selected from 59 companies located in wesyern, central, and eastern frontiers and in Seoul. Data were gathered through questionaire which was developed on the basis of the results of the preliminary research. For the purpose of comparison, the LBDQ-VII was also used.
To see if most frequently used two dimensions of leader behavior, i.e. consideration and initiating structure, are valid representation of leader behavior, data gathered through LBDQ-VII were analyzed first. The result of reliability analysis showed that Cronbach's Alpha coefficients of original scales of LBDQ-VII were reasonably high. But the result of factor analysis showed that the two dimensions of leader behavior (consideration and initiating structure) were not indentified by enlisted men. This results confirmed the necessity of searching new dimensions of leader characteristics.
Four new dimensions of leader characteristics were identified as a result of second order factor analysis of first order factors of LBDQ-VII and Leader Characteristics Questionaire which was developed specially for this study. They are (1) benevolent patriarchal characteristics, (2) personal ability and confidence of leader, (3) righteousness in power use, and (4) fairness in general. Of the four dimensions, benevolent patriarchal characteristics and leader's personal ability and confidence came out to be most influential on the enlisted men's behavior. Strictly speaking, the former explains how considerate the leader is and the latter how task oriented. The third characteristics of righteousness in power use was related to individual phenomena of enlisted men's behavior such as individual morale, satisfaction, and perceived familiarity with leader. The fourth characteristics of fairness in general was related to group phenomena of a unit such as integration and group morale.
Finally several hypotheses were derived for future study and test.
