The Context of Military Environments: An Agenda for Basic Research on Social and Organizational Factors ...

This book synthesizes and assesses basic research opportunities in the behavioral and social sciences related to social and organizational factors that comprise the context of individual and small unit behavior in military environments. This report focuses on tactical operations of small units and their leaders, to include the full spectrum of unique military environments including: major combat operations, stability/support operations, peacekeeping, and military observer missions, as well as headquarters support units. This report identifies key contextual factors that shape individual and small unit behavior and assesses the state of the science regarding these factors.

This report presents recommendations for a program of basic scientific research on the roles of social and organizational contextual factors, such as organizational institutions, culture, and norms, as determinants and moderators of the performance of individual soldiers and small units.

Contents
Summary
1 Introduction and Framework for Research Agenda
Introduction
Framework for Research Agenda
Report Outline
References
2 Norms in Military Environments
Perspectives on Norms Research
Characteristics of Norms in Army Contexts
Themes for Research on Norms
Future Research on Norms
References
3 Environmental Transitions
State of Research on Transition Consequences
Future Research on Environmental Transitions
References
4 Contextual Leadership
State of Research
Leadership in the Army
Future Research on Contextual Leadership
References
5 Distinct Sources of Power and Status in Diversified Army Units
Status Hierarchies
Effects on Leadership Capabilities of Misalignment between Power and Status
Future Research on Distinct Sources of Power and Status
A Research Method Strategy
References
6 Multiteam Systems as the Context for Individuals and Teams
The Multiteam System as an Organizational Form
An Exemplar Research Program on Origins and Consequences of Multiteam Properties
Future Research on Multiteam Systems
References
7 Longitudinal Survey Data for Empirical Research on Military Environments
Cross-Sectional Data on the Military
Longitudinal Surveys Based on Nonmilitary Populations
The Millennium Cohort Study: A Longitudinal Survey Based on the Military Population
Creation of a Longitudinal Database
A Longitudinal Survey
References
8 The Research Agenda: Conclusions and Recommendations
Relevant Personnel
Norms
Environmental Transitions
Contextual Leadership
Power and Status
Multiteam Systems
Longitudinal Survey Data
Reference
Appendix Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff