Abstract
6 to 8 enlisted personnel from each of 60 army companies were interviewed during an organizational assessment. The initiating structure and consideration behaviors of the company commander were related to and perceived determinants of between company differences in (a) subordinates' behavior, (b) three organizational climate dimensions, and (c) perceived unit effectiveness. Commonly held perceptions among officers and noncommissioned officers supported the subordinates' perceptions of the causal significance of the company commander's behavior. Perceptions of battalion commanders also supported this view and provided a partial validation of subordinates' global perceptions of the company's climate and effectiveness. A model of the relationships among the variables identified was developed. Refinements to the consideration dimension of leadership are suggested by the data. Limitations of the interview approach utilized and suggestions for subsequent research are given.
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