THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUPERIOR'S TECHNICAL COMPETENCE IN THE SUBORDINATES' WORK

Abstract

This study assessed the importance of the first-line supervisor's knowledge of his subordinates' work. The impact of the supervisor's style of leadership served as a basis for comparatively evaluating the importance of the supervisor's knowledge. The criteria variables used were morale and productivity. Supervisors and subordinates representing routine and nonroutine work groups were tested. The routine group was represented by postal clerks and the nonroutine group by computer programmers. All subjects were chosen as a convenience sample and were U.S. Army personnel stationed in West Germany. Test results of seventy-eight subordinates and their supervisors were used in the analysis. The test to measure the job knowledge of postal workers was the only test which had to be specially prepared for this study. Internal consistency reliabilities indicated the test would be appropriate. Supervisors both ranked and rated their subordinates' productivity. Various other standard tests were used. The primary hypothesis of the study was that the first-line supervisor's knowledge of his subordinates' jobs has a greater impact on productivity and morale than the supervisor's leadership style. It was hypothesized that increases in the supervisor's knowledge would have favorable effects. Path analysis was employed as the method of evaluating the hypothesis. The layout of path diagrams reflect various other hypotheses of the researcher. The first path analysis model examined indicated additional variables should be considered. An expanded model indicated that knowledge is likely positively related to productivity though negatively related to morale. That portion of the hypothesis specifying that knowledge would have a greater impact than leadership style could not be justified by the analysis and interpretation of the diagrams. The participative style of leadership appeared to be more positively, causally related to productivity than the supervisor's knowledge.