A qualitative study of military officers’ perceptions of the adaptions couples make to meet the military organisation’s implicit expectations
International Journal of Organizational Analysis
ISSN: 1934-8835
Article publication date: 28 December 2021
Issue publication date: 31 October 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate military officers’ perception of the implicit expectations the organisation has for the officer’s private life and what implications it may have for gender norms at the organisation, family and individual levels.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach, using an inductive thematic analysis, was performed. The data was based on 20 interviews with military officers, including 18 men and 2 women.
Findings
Two main themes, with three subsequent subthemes, were identified. These themes were interpreted as being necessary for the military officer to be able to manage organisational demands. The first included the implicit expectations the organisation had for the family. The three subthemes included the officer’s acceptance of frequent travel demands, adapting private life in accordance to organisational demands and picking a partner that matches the goals of the organisation. The second identified main theme included the military officer’s descriptions of implicit expectations the organisation held for the officer’s partner. Three subthemes were identified, including the partner’s need to be independent and psychologically strong, to take the main responsibility for managing family life and to engage in emotion work with the extended family.
Originality/value
The findings identify important perceptions that military officers have regarding the military’s expectations for their private life and the adaptive behaviors regularly performed. These adaptive behaviors allow the military officer to be able to engage in work that sustains the organisation.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This project was funded by the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Defence University.
Citation
Ohlsson, A., Nilsson, S.A. and Larsson, G. (2023), "A qualitative study of military officers’ perceptions of the adaptions couples make to meet the military organisation’s implicit expectations", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 31 No. 5, pp. 1899-1916. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-09-2021-2940
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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