International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology

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A Study on the Leadership Level and Development of Female Military Leaders in the Army

  • Received : 2024.03.09
  • Accepted : 2024.05.01
  • Published : 2024.06.30
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Abstract

This study aims to empirically analyze the effects of leadership level and toxic leadership on leadership performance results among male and female military leaders in the Army, and to verify whether the leader's gender has a moderating effect in this process. Additionally, by comparing and analyzing the leadership level, toxic leadership, and leadership performance results of female military leaders by position, this study seeks to examine the characteristics of female military leadership according to position. The research model was established with leadership level and toxic leadership as independent variables, leadership performance results as the dependent variable, and the leader's gender as a moderating variable. Data were collected through a survey of 216 male and female officers serving in the positions of platoon leader, company commander, and battalion commander in the Army. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis. The results showed that leadership level had a significant positive effect on leadership performance results, while toxic leadership had a significant negative effect. The leader's gender moderated the relationship between leadership level and leadership performance results, with female leaders receiving lower evaluations than male leaders at the same level of leadership competency. Gender also moderated the relationship between toxic leadership and leadership performance results, with female leaders exhibiting the same level of toxic leadership receiving lower performance evaluations than male leaders. In the comparative analysis of female military leadership characteristics by position, the leadership level of the platoon leader and company commander groups was not significantly different from that of male soldiers, but the battalion commander group showed slightly lower leadership competency compared to male soldiers. Based on these results, this study suggests ways to improve the leadership level of female military leaders, reduce toxic leadership, and prepare support measures to strengthen the leadership competency of female military officers at the battalion commander level and above from policy, institutional, and educational perspectives.

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