NCJ Number
57966
Date Published
1977
Length
63 pages
Annotation
RESEARCH CONDUCTED AT FIVE AIR FORCE BASES IN CALIFORNIA INDICATES THAT A PARTICIPATIVE STYLE OF MANAGEMENT WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE WITHIN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE SECURITY POLICE SQUADRONS.
Abstract
TRADITIONALLY, THE ARMED FORCES HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY AUTHORITARIAN AND THIS HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY TRUE IN THE SECURITY POLICE SQUADRONS. HOWEVER, THIS MANAGEMENT STYLE HAS BEEN INCREASINGLY QUESTIONED IN VIEW OF THE HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND EDUCATED INDIVIDUALS COMING INTO THE AIR FORCE TODAY. A STUDY USED BOTH PERSONAL OBSERVATION AND A QUESTIONNAIRE TO EXAMINE THE MANAGEMENT OF SECURITY POLICE SQUADRONS AT FIVE BASES NEAR SACRAMENTO AND TO GATHER DATA ON WHAT CHIEFS OF SECURITY POLICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT FLIGHT CHIEFS, AND SECURITY FLIGHT CHIEFS FELT WOULD BE THE MOST DESIRABLE MANAGEMENT SITUATION. THE OBSERVATIONS FOUND THAT THE CURRENT MANAGEMENT STYLE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY NEGATIVE. EXCEPT FOR LETTERS OF APPRECIATION, THERE WERE FEW REWARDS FOR GOOD WORK WHILE THE MAJOR PROPORTION OF THE ADMINISTRATOR'S TIME WAS SPENT HANDLING CRISES CAUSED BY POOR WORK. THE QUESTIONNAIRE FOUND THAT MOST ADMINISTRATORS THOUGHT A MORE PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT STYLE WOULD BE 'DESIRABLE.' THEY WANTED TO SEE MORE INITIATIVE AND MORE PROBLEMSOLVING BEHAVIOR IN SUBORDINATES. HOWEVER, INFORMAL INTERVIEWS HELD AFTER THE QUESTIONNAIRES WERE COLLECTED FOUND THAT NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS, ESPECIALLY, WERE SUSPICIOUS OF 'THAT HUMAN RELATIONS STUFF.' THE AIR FORCE NEEDS TO INSTITUTE MANAGEMENT CHANGE TO ATTRACT AND HOLD TODAY'S BETTER EDUCATED YOUNG PERSONS. ADDITIONAL STUDIES SHOULD BE MADE TO FIND WAYS TO BRING ABOUT SUCH CHANGE. TABLES, REFERENCES, AND APPENDIXES ARE INCLUDED. (GLR)