The Relationship Between Non-Governmental Organizations and the Canadian Forces: A Pilot Study (La relation entre les organisations non-gouvernementales et les forces canadiennes: Une etude pilote)

Abstract

The Canadian Forces (CF) is adopting a more coordinated and comprehensive approach to operations (i.e., joint, interagency, multinational, public, or JIMP). Of the JIMP dimensions, the "public" aspects, which include non-governmental organizations (NGOs), may pose some of the greatest challenges in terms of interacting with non-military players. While many theories regarding these tensions exist, few studies have explored the issue thoroughly from a Canadian perspective, and few studies have examined the potentially positive aspects of the military-NGO relationship. The purpose of this pilot study was to begin to explore the perspectives of NGO workers and CF members on the relationship between NGOs and the CF, in particular as it pertains to their collaboration in theatre. Participants included 5 members of NGOs, 5 CF members and one additional Subject Matter Expert for a total of 11 participants. Interviews were each approximately 2 hours in length, were tape recorded (with consent) using digital recording equipment, and subsequently transcribed. Content analysis was conducted using conventional qualitative data-analytical tools and techniques. Specifically, NVivo8, a qualitative research software package, was used to identify and categorize themes and issues pertaining to specific interview questions as well as themes and issues that emerged from the interviews. Main themes which emerged from the data include: participant perceptions of the relationship between the CF and NGOs; the role and direction that Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) should be taking; the importance of managing optics; differences in organizational culture and structure; the lack of trust between the two organizations; and recommendations for training and education.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA557345

Entities

People

  • Angela R. Febbraro
  • Brenda Fraser
  • Emily-ana Filardo
  • Marissa Barnes
  • Rachel Spiece
  • Tara L. Holton

Organizations

  • Defence Research and Development Canada

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cognitive Systems Engineering
  • Commerce
  • Education
  • Families (Human)
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Medical Personnel
  • National Security
  • Nongovernmental Organizations
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Pilot Studies
  • Psychological Phenomena And Processes
  • Recreation
  • Social Psychology
  • Teamwork
  • Training

Readers

  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.
  • Organizational Process Management (OPM).
  • Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) EDI Research and Innovation.