The purpose of this study is to investigate the causal relationship between sport participation of Korean soldiers based on sociodemographic characteristics and group cohesiveness, military life adaptation, and organizational effectiveness, and thus t...
The purpose of this study is to investigate the causal relationship between sport participation of Korean soldiers based on sociodemographic characteristics and group cohesiveness, military life adaptation, and organizational effectiveness, and thus to identify the values of military sport activities to present basic data needed in establishing sport and welfare policies for the military.
For doing this, the soldiers in the army, the navy, and the air force under the Ministry of Defense as of 2009 were selected to be the population, and samples were extracted by using convenience sampling, one of the methods of non-probability sampling. The number of the samples was 400 for each group by consideration of types of troops, and a total 1,200 were sampled by ranks and specialities. A total 1,067 questionnaires out of the collected ones, except for the ones inappropriate for research data, were used in this study as cases.
In order to secure validity of the measurement tools used in this study, the validity was verified via experts' meetings, preliminary tests, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. The value of Cronbach's α was calculated to secure reliability. The data was conducted of χ2 analysis, multiple regression analysis, and structural equation model based on the research hypotheses by using SPSS WIN 14.0 and AMOS 16.0 programs for statistics. The results of this study from the above-mentioned research methodology and procedures are as follows.
First, there were significant differences in sport participation based on sociodemographic characteristics. In particular, the sport that the soldiers most preferred to participate in was competitive physical activities of ball games. The frequency of participation was between two and three times per week (highest), the intensity of participation was between one and less than two hours per once (highest), and the period of participation was less than five months (highest). These results were all high in all the factors including types of troops, ranks, and educational levels. The period of participation was slightly different based on variables.
Second, sport participation significantly affected group cohesiveness, military life adaptation, and organizational effectiveness. In particular, behavioral involvement as a sub-factor of sport participation was highest in relative effectiveness on all the variables.
Third, group cohesiveness significantly affected organizational effectiveness, and in particular, assignment cohesiveness as a sub-factor of group cohesiveness was highest in relative effectiveness on organizational effectiveness.
Fourth, military life adaptation significantly affected organizational effectiveness. In particular, intrapersonal relationship as a sub-factor of military life adaptation was highest in relative effectiveness on job satisfaction as a sub-factor of organizational effectiveness, and training of rule adaptation was highest in relative effectiveness on organizational commitment.
Fifth, sport participation directly and indirectly affected group cohesiveness, military life adaptation, and organizational effectiveness. In particular, group cohesiveness and military life adaptation were significant mediation variables connecting the relation between sport participation and organizational effectiveness.
Based on the results and discussions from this study, suggestions for further studies are as follows.
First, sport participation was proven to have indirect effects on organizational effectiveness via group cohesiveness and military life adaptation, indicating that group cohesiveness and military life adaptation are significant mediation variables connecting sport participation and organizational effectiveness. However, it cannot be said that the variables of group cohesiveness and military life adaptation sufficiently explain organizational effectiveness when compared with other mediation variables. Thus, further studies are needed to consider significant mediation variables that comprehensively explain organizational effectiveness, except for the variables presented by this study.
Second, given that group cohesiveness is intensified by sport participation, it may be possible of forming other social network according to sport activities. Further studies are needed to research on social network for various groups including sport clubs of soldiers or sport societies after work of officials.
Third, the models and relevant information & knowledge structured via research assignment performance can serve as alternative programs to enhance the values, attitudes, and norms required in military organizations. Therefore, it is needed to enhance efficiency of organizational management and operation via activating sports in military.