Title: The impacts of Military Style Leadership on the growth of MSMEs in India
Authors: Leonard Selvaraja Fernando
Year: 2023
Organization: Liverpool Business School, United Kingdom
Type: Research Paper
Status: Published

ABSTRACT
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This study examines the adoption and impact of military-style leadership practices in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in India. Drawing on a survey of 320 MSME owners and managers across manufacturing, services, and technology sectors, the research investigates how hierarchical command structures, disciplined operational protocols, and mission-oriented goal-setting—characteristic of military leadership—influence business growth metrics. The findings reveal a nuanced picture: while military-style leadership correlates positively with operational efficiency and crisis response capability, it shows a negative association with employee innovation and long-term adaptability in knowledge-intensive sectors. The paper contributes to leadership theory by contextualizing military leadership frameworks within the unique cultural and economic landscape of Indian MSMEs, offering a contingent leadership model that suggests hybrid approaches for sustainable growth.