ROLE OF EARLY SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE IN SUPERVISOR PERFORMANCE

This research explores the role of early supervisory experience and co gnitive ability in first-line supervisor performance. Similar to E L. Schmidt, J. E. Hunter, and A. N. Outerbridge's(1986) study of nonsuper visors, this research tested structural models hypothesizing relations hips among supervisory experience, cognitive ability, supervisory know ledge and proficiency, and performance ratings, using a sample of 570 second-tour soldiers. The Schmidt et al. model with an additional abil ity - experience path provided the best fit. The significant ability - -> experience path was interpreted as indicating that demonstrated abi lity contributes to soldiers being given the opportunity to obtain sup ervisory experience. Experience had a greater impact on supervisor pro ficiency than on superviSor knowledge. Ability had a greater impact on supervisor knowledge than on proficiency. Discussion focuses on the p ersonal characteristics that might be involved in being assigned super visory responsibilities.