The Effects of Tenure and Task Orientation on Air Force Program Manager's Role Stress.

摘要

This research examines the possible relationship between a program manager's tenure and the degrees to which the organizational nature of a program manager's tasks in a System Program Office (SPO) are 'project' oriented, and how these two variables, in turn, relate to his perceived role stress. The organizational nature of a program manager's tasks can range from functionally oriented to program oriented and is measured with a questionnaire designed by the authors. Perceived role stress is measured with a questionnaire tested and used by previous researchers. The sample consisted of managers within SPOs that were either commissioned officers or civilians in the grade of GS-07 or higher. Findings include (1) as program managers remain in a job longer they tend to become more functionally oriented, and (2) program manager's who perceive themselves to be program management oriented tend to perceive greater role stress than program managers who are functionally oriented. The study concludes that program managers do not usually attain sufficient tenure to learn a job thoroughly and thus accomplish it efficiently. The study recommends changes that include improved Air Force job tenure policies and job overlap programs. (Author)