Patterns of Innovation: A Historical Case Study of Military Innovation in the Netherlands East Indies Navy from 1900-1942
Abstract
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) represented one of the richest colonies in the world due to its natural resources. The purpose of this thesis is to examine innovation by the Netherlands East Indies Navy during the years 1900 to 1942. The Netherlands East Indies Navy was defeated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in March 1942. Victory is a common -- but inadequate -- measure of innovative success. Exogenous factors play a central role. Therefore, this thesis uses military effectiveness as a more useful measure of military innovation. The thesis will use a conceptual framework to analyze innovation within the NEI navy. It examines the importance of strategic calculations, the relationship between technology and innovation, the organizational politics of innovation, and civilian-military collaboration within the Netherlands East Indies Navy. The research reveals that the NEI Navy possessed an innovative culture, but that inter-service rivalry, intra-service rivalry, financial constraints, and navalist discourses inhibited the Dutch from deriving maximum combat power from the resources available.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 13, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA590403
Entities
People
- Rene W. Van Den Berg
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College