Military theorists believes that morale is a crucial contributor to influence the military effectiveness. Therefore, one can assume that there should be a clear doctrinal guidance to military leaders on specific characteristics or behaviours which develops morale in units. Swedish doctrines can be perceived to have insufficient doctrinal guidance to aid military leaders influence morale. Hence, why military leaders may depend on their acquired experience to influence the development. Through an organisational perspective, this can cause perceptions to differ between branches on the meaning and development of morale.
The aim of the study is to contribute to the previous research on the development of morale in a military context. Through insights of Swedish military leaders, the study also aims to get a better understanding of how military leadership can be seen as a main contributor to development of morale within units.
Swedish military leader’s perceptions on the meaning of morale can be seen as a willingness to fight, which is believed to evolve when right prerequisite and shared experiences exist. The prerequisites were described as leadership which can tutor, guide, and create trust within the unit’s members. Leadership with interaction between the units shared experiences contribute to the development of willingness, which is described as a major contributor to military effectiveness.