NCJ Number
37124
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1976) Pages: 263-271
Date Published
1976
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE RELATIONSHIP OF POLICE SUPERVISORY STYLE TO POLICE OFFICERS' JOB SATISFACTION, ATTITUDES TOWARD CITIZENRY, EXPERIENCE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR WORK, AND EXPERIENCE OF MEANINGFULNESS OF WORK IS EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE TWO MEASURES OF SUPERVISORY STYLE UTILIZED IN THIS STUDY WERE CONSIDERATION AND INITIATING STRUCTURE. CONSIDERATION INVOLVES SUPERVISORY BEHAVIORS LEADING TO FRIENDSHIP, MUTUAL TRUST, RESPECT, AND A CERTAIN WARMTH AND RAPPORT BETWEEN THE SUPERVISOR AND HIS SUBORDINATES. INITIATING STRUCTURE INVOLVES SUPERVISORY BEHAVIORS LEADING TO THE ORGANIZATION AND DEFINITION OF RELATIONSHIPS IN THE WORK GROUP WHICH TEND TO ESTABLISH WELL-DEFINED PATTERNS AND CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION AND WAYS OF GETTING THE JOB DONE. SEVENTY-FIVE POLICE OFFICERS COMPLETED A QUESTIONNAIRE WHICH INCLUDED INDICES OF THEIR IMMEDIATE SUPERIOR'S CONSIDERATION AND INITIATING STRUCTURE BEHAVIORS. INITIATING STRUCTURE WAS FOUND TO SIGNIFICANTLY POSITIVELY CORRELATE WITH FAITH IN PEOPLE, EXPERIENCED MEANINGFULNESS OF WORK. EXPERIENCED RESPONSIBILITY FOR WORK, GENERAL JOB SATISFACTION, JOB INVOLVEMENT, INTERNAL WORK MOTIVATION, AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT. INITIATING STRUCTURE WAS FOUND TO SIGNIFICANTLY NEGATIVELY CORRELATE WITH DEFENSIVE POSTURE. CONSIDERATION CORRELATED SIGNIFICANTLY POSITIVELY WITH ONLY ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT. IMPLICATIONS OF THE RESULTS FOR POLICE ADMINISTRATION AND FUTURE RESEARCH ARE DISCUSSED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)