Culture and Inter-Group Relations Theory as a Pathway to Improve Decision Making in Coalition Operations
Abstract
The U.S. military frequently participates in coalitions involving foreign military organizations as well as domestic and foreign civilian groups, such as governmental organizations, private volunteer organizations, and special interest groups. Due to the wide cultural and organizational diversity of the participant groups, coalition operations pose significant challenges to the U.S. military. A macroergonomics perspective is used in this paper to evaluate how cultural factors and group process variables influence the effectiveness of coalition operations. To better understand how cultural and group process factors influence coalition operations, researchers reviewed doctrine, military analyses, workshop reports, and case studies of numerous coalition operations. Four principal inter-group factors were identified that are critical to the effectiveness of coalition missions: planning, coordination, communication, and training. These four factors were then evaluated in terms of the cultural dimensions and group process variables that influence them.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA461066
Entities
People
- John W. Gwynne
- Nancy J. Heacox
- Robert J. Smillie
- William J. O'mara
Organizations
- Naval Information Warfare Systems Command