Organizational Theory Perspectives Toward Success in Dynamic Environments

Abstract

How can special operations forces balance present-day readiness with the requirement to stay ahead of potential revolutionary changes in the operating environment? This question presents a challenge to any organizationmilitary or otherwisethat seeks to sustain a competitive advantage over time. The challenges of tomorrow are different from those of today, and organizations in changing environments must deal with the often-competing requirements for present and future success. Within the field of organizational study resides a deep and diverse body of work that addresses this issue from varying perspectives. This thesis reviews three of these perspectivesambidexterity, the dynamic capabilities view, and organizational ecologyand extracts useful concepts for United States Special Operations Command to consider as it plans for the increasingly dynamic environments of the twenty-first century. Each field is reviewed in some detail, and key concepts or frameworks are reviewed and assessed for applicability. Ultimately, a concise summary of conclusions is provided along with recommendations for further study into matters that impact special operations readiness in environments of evolutionary and revolutionary change.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2018
Accession Number
AD1069731

Entities

People

  • Bradley V Schoultz

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • C4I
  • Counter WMD
  • Cyber
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Asymmetric Warfare
  • Climate Change
  • Military Force Levels
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Special Operations Forces
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • United States Special Operations Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design