Coexistence or Operational Necessity: The Role of Formally Structured Organisation and Informal Networks during Deployments
Abstract
The military faces an increasingly turbulent environment requiring flexibility and agility of organisational processes and structures. This is particularly prevalent for military forces interfacing with civilian organisations. Furthermore, the current military paradigm of network centric operations (NCO) is reliant on timely information flows, flexible command structures and adaptability to achieve mission outcomes. This paper reports on the findings and implications for organisational architectures and command and control of a study into the role of informal networks within a formally structured organisation in complex operational environments. Based on the analysis of two combat and one humanitarian deployments, this research examines whether informal networks contribute to military mission outcomes and what factors facilitate the co-existence of formal organisational structures and informal networks during operational deployments. This analysis provides understanding of the prevalence and efficacy of informal networks during deployments, and their interaction with formal C2. The interrelationship between three emergent factors ? accountability, autonomy and appropriateness of C2 arrangements ? is necessary to harness the agility inherent in informal networks and the stability offered by formal structures. Doctrinal, command, and training implications of these findings are also discussed in this paper.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA547172
Entities
People
- Irena Ali
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group