Accession Number:

ADA505776

Title:

Uncovering the Hidden Structure of Platoons: Formal and Emergent Leaders' Perceptions of Organizational Networks

Descriptive Note:

Conference paper

Corporate Author:

BOOZ-ALLEN AND HAMILTON INC MCLEAN VA

Personal Author(s):

• Horn, Daniel B.
• Conjar, Elizabeth A.

Report Date:

2008-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

9.0

Abstract:

We report on a study of the accuracy of Soldiers perceptions of advice and friendship networks within U.S. Army Infantry rifle platoons. The ability to accurately perceive the informal advice networks within a platoon is shown to be correlated with both formal leadership positions and emergent leader ratings. That is, individuals in leadership roles and those who, regardless of their formal role, are seen by their peers as possessing leadership qualities were more accurate than non-leaders in their understanding of the informal structure of the platoons. We discuss the implications of these findings with regard to prevailing theories of leadership.

Descriptors:

• *PERCEPTION(PSYCHOLOGY)
• *PLATOON LEVEL ORGANIZATIONS
• *NETWORKS
• *LEADERSHIP
• RATINGS
• RIFLES
• THEORY
• SOCIAL COMMUNICATION
• ARMY PERSONNEL
• SYMPOSIA
• INFANTRY

Subject Categories:

• Military Forces and Organizations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE