Strange Deja Vu: Tackling Information Sharing Problems for Efforts Against Transnational Organized Crime
Abstract
This study identifies and analyzes information sharing problems in United States (US) government efforts to combat transnational organized crime, as well as analogous US counterterrorism efforts, using a composite framework: a combination of Alfred Chandlers notions of strategy and structure with Edgar Scheins ideas on organizational culture. Specifically, this study examines key US government and Department of Defense (DOD) strategy documents and select organizations relevant to DOD involvement in information sharing efforts against transnational organized crime, and analyzes specific post-9/11 counterterrorism entities for insights that may help DOD and other agencies avoid information sharing issues in the fight against transnational organized crime. The author argues the US governmentand DOD in particularmust synchronize strategy, structure, and culture in order to solve information sharing problems with efforts to combat transnational organized crime. DOD must understand the capabilities and limitations of information sharing throughout federal, state, and local government levelsas well as DODs own information sharing capabilities and limitations with external partners. Recommendations for the US government and DOD to consider to posture resources to confront an identified national security threat more effectively include: (1) improvement of existing strategy, structure, and culture to enhance information sharing for a decentralized enterprise against transnational organized crime, or (2) if forced by a catastrophic event, creation of an integrated, operational task force for homeland protection against transnational organized crime.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1015821
Entities
People
- Christopher W. Allen
Organizations
- Air University