Showing papers by "Swedish National Defence College published in 2009"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated gender differences in the genetic influences on the tendency of people to become entrepreneurs and examined two mediating variables through which genetic factors may impact this tendency: extraversion and neuroticism.
245 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a theoretical explanation for the seemingly indiscriminate violence used by RENAMO during the civil war in Mozambique, a phenomenon that dominant theories on civil war violence cannot account for fully.
Abstract: This article develops a theoretical explanation for the seemingly indiscriminate violence used by RENAMO during the civil war in Mozambique, a phenomenon that dominant theories on civil war violence cannot account for fully. The analysis builds on interviews with the RENAMO leadership and Mozambican academics as well as secondary sources on the patterns of violence. It concludes that RENAMO used mass violence to weaken the support for the government and create war fatigue. The main strategy was to cause enough damage to pressure the government into entering negotiations. The use of most violence against civilians in those areas where the population was believed to support the government, in combination with a clear objective to destabilise the government and a disciplined military organisation, support the argument that mass violence was employed to demonstrate ‘the power to hurt’.
79 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a conceptual framework based on concept categories and answers to four fundamental questions: what lessons are learned (single- or double-loop), what is the focus of the lessons (prevention or response), when are lessons learned (intra- or intercrisis), is learning blocked from implementation or carried out (distilled or implemented).
Abstract: This article contributes to the debate on organizational learning from crisis by shedding light on the phenomenon of crises as learning triggers. To unveil theoretical patterns of how organizational crisis-induced learning may appear and develop, I suggest a conceptual framework based on concept categories and answers to four fundamental questions: what lessons are learned (single- or double-loop)?; what is the focus of the lessons (prevention or response)?; when are lessons learned (intra- or intercrisis)?; is learning blocked from implementation or carried out (distilled or implemented)? The framework's applicability is explored in a study of how a Swedish utility and the city of Stockholm responded to two large-scale blackouts in Stockholm. The final sections suggest four propositions for further research.
73 citations
TL;DR: A method for measuring sensemaking performance in command teams during military planning was tested with Army captains serving as participants and found that the quality of the sensemaking process was related to thequality of the plans.
Abstract: Sensemaking, understanding how to deal with the situation at hand, has a central role in military command This paper presents a method for measuring sensemaking performance in command teams during military planning The method was tested in two experiments with Army captains serving as participants The task was to produce parts of a brigade order within 6 h The participants worked in teams of 5–7 individuals, 16 teams in the first experiment and 8 teams in the second experiment, with one team member acting as brigade commander The independent variables were amount of information and type of communication, respectively The characteristics of each team’s sensemaking process were assessed from video recordings of their planning sessions The quality of their plans was judged by military experts Although plan quality was unaffected by the experimental manipulations, the quality of the sensemaking process was related to the quality of the plans
60 citations
TL;DR: HF, LF and SDNN were reproducible after 6 months and were related to physical activity on both occasions and showed any repeatable significant correlations to HRV.
Abstract: This study investigated whether there is a relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) versus lifestyle and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in a population of healthy adolescents. HRV is as an index of tonic autonomic activity and in adults HRV is related to lifestyle and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but it is not known if this is the case in adolescents. HRV was registered for 4 min in sitting position in 99 healthy adolescents (age range 15 years 11 months–17 years 7 months) and repeated after 6 months. On both occasions there were significant correlations (P < 0.05) between physical activity and HRV, with respective r values: high frequency (HF) 0.26, 0.30; low frequency power (LF) 0.35, 0.29 and the standard deviation of inter-beat intervals (SDNN) 0.28, 0.37. There was no significant interaction between first and second measurements. In contrast, there were no correlations to sleeping patterns, eating habits and smoking. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease [body mass index (BMI = weight (kg)/length in m2), systolic blood pressure and p-glucose] did not show any repeatable significant correlations to HRV. Multiple regression models showed that physical activity was a predictor for HF, LF and SDNN in both measurements. In conclusion HF, LF and SDNN were reproducible after 6 months and were related to physical activity on both occasions.
56 citations
29 Aug 2009
TL;DR: The challenges ahead in creating new communication networks to support post-disaster operations are described, and they are set in the context of the current issues in protection of critical infrastructures.
Abstract: Disasters are characterised by their devastating effect on human lives and the society's ability to function. Unfortunately, rescue operations and the possibility to re-establish a working society after such events is often hampered by the lack of functioning communication infrastructures. This paper describes the challenges ahead in creating new communication networks to support post-disaster operations, and sets them in the context of the current issues in protection of critical infrastructures. The analysis reveals that while there are some common concerns there are also fundamental differences. The paper serves as an overview of some promising research directions and pointers to existing works in these areas.
48 citations
TL;DR: This paper examined the operation of the presidential advisory system during the 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina crises in order to explain the marked differences in presidential crisis leadership performance during the acute phase of both crises.
Abstract: This paper examines the operation of the presidential advisory system during the 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina crises in order to explain the marked differences in presidential crisis leadership performance during the acute phase of both crises. It first presents a conceptual framework for the systematic study of “crisis advisory configurations” around presidents, based on an integrated review of the advisory systems and crisis management literatures. Second, the framework is applied to George W. Bush's performance in three crucial crisis leadership task domains—sense making, decision making, and meaning making. The article concludes by identifying key challenges of building crisis management capacity around heads of government such as the U.S. president.
41 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the incidence, dimensions, and impact of sexual harassment on women officers and cadets in the Swedish military and found that harassment rates for direct measures were lower than indirect measures, hostile environment harassment was more prevalent than quid pro quo harassment; and harassment was associated with decreased job satisfaction, organizational commitment, work group effectiveness and psychological and physical health.
Abstract: We examined the incidence, dimensions, and impact of sexual harassment on women officers and cadets in the Swedish military (N = 324). We expected that harassment rates for direct measures would be lower than for indirect measures; hostile environment harassment would be more prevalent than quid pro quo harassment; and harassment would negatively influence women's job-related outcomes and their psychological and physical health. We found that harassment rates for direct measures were lower than indirect measures; hostile environment harassment was more prevalent than quid pro quo harassment; and harassment was associated with decreased job satisfaction, organizational commitment, work group effectiveness, and psychological and physical health. We discuss the theoretical, methodological, and practical implications of our findings for studying harassment across cultures.
40 citations
TL;DR: The role of the European Union is investigated, which identifies conceptual building blocks for a new security paradigm and offers design principles that can facilitate a shared way of thinking and acting in the safety and security domain.
Abstract: The world of crises and disasters is changing rapidly. We are witnessing new types of adversity. In addition, modern societies have become increasingly vulnerable to disruptions, new and old. This new world demands new types of responses, which nation states cannot produce alone. Nation states will have to cooperate to protect their citizens from these threats. This article investigates the role of the European Union in the development of new safety and security arrangements. It identifies conceptual building blocks for a new security paradigm and offers design principles that can facilitate a shared way of thinking and acting in the safety and security domain.
36 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that team leaders tended to be more spontaneous and less rational, dependent and avoidant in their style configuration than their team members.
Abstract: There are five different, although not mutually exclusive, styles exhibited by military officers when making decisions: rational, intuitive, dependent, avoidant, and spontaneous (Scott & Bruce, 1995) The purpose was to investigate if elected leaders of military planning teams had a different configuration of decision-making styles than their team members Participants were 98 army captains organized in 16 brigade-level planning teams The results indicate that team leaders tended to be more spontaneous and less rational, dependent and avoidant in their style configuration than their team members One possible explanation is that the style configuration exhibited by many of the elected leaders comes through to others as forcefulness and decisiveness and that such a profile is in line with a general leadership culture The results also provide support for the General Decision-Making Style inventory as a measurement of decision styles, because they suggest that the self-reports coincide with displayed, observable behavior
30 citations
TL;DR: The development of European Union (EU) civil protection cooperation highlights important issues in the debate on the internal-external security nexus as discussed by the authors, pointing to the increased transnationalizatio...
Abstract: The development of European Union (EU) civil protection cooperation highlights important issues in the debate on the internal—external security nexus. It points to the increased transnationalizatio...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a rule regimes in news organization decision-making to explain diversity in the actions of news organizations during extraordinary events, in order to explain the diversity in news organizations' decisions.
Abstract: Rule regimes in news organization decision making : explaining diversity in the actions of news organizations during extraordinary events
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the demands on political leaders' communicative abilities in terms of explaining the causes of the problem at hand as well as showing a plausible way out of the situation.
TL;DR: The central role of human–human communication in a dynamic, high-risk environment where uncertainty about the situation in the environment and about the own organization’s capability was intertwined is described, requiring extensive control activities and, hence, special attention to communication between humans.
Abstract: This paper describes and analyzes the central role of human–human communication in a dynamic, high-risk environment. The empirical example is a UN peace-enforcing and peace-keeping operation where uncertainty about the situation in the environment and about the own organization’s capability was intertwined, requiring extensive control activities and, hence, special attention to communication between humans. Theoretically, focus lays on what efficient communication means, how to understand and use social relations, and use technology when making socio-technical systems also cooperative systems. We conclude that “control” largely is based on the ability to communicate and that efficient human–human communication is grounded in relations between individuals, which preferably should be based on physical meetings. Uncertainty, and how humans cope with it through interpersonal communication, is exemplified and discussed. In theoretical terms, relating the study to systems science and its application in organizational life and cognitive engineering, the case illustrates that an organization is not only an economy but also an adaptive social structure. But neither cognition nor control is an end state. The organization’s raison d’etre in this kind of operation is cooperation rather than confrontation. Its use of force is strictly regulated by Rules of Engagement (ROE). In the organization, strong emotions may govern, interpersonal trust can be established and rule-sets for further cooperation established. Without considering the power of such aspects, economical rationality and detached cognitive thinking may end up in perfect, but less relevant, support technologies where people act in roles rather than as wholes.
TL;DR: Learning from Crises and Major Accidents: From Post-Crisis Fantasy Documents to Actual Learning in the Heat of Crisis as discussed by the authors ) is a collection of post-crisis fantasy documents.
Abstract: Learning from Crises and Major Accidents : From Post-Crisis Fantasy Documents to Actual Learning in the Heat of Crisis
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Success and Failure Factors for KM : The Utilization of Knowledge in the Swedish Armed Forces shows a clear trend towards more knowledge-based decision-making in the armed forces.
Abstract: Success and Failure Factors for KM : The Utilization of Knowledge in the Swedish Armed Forces
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of buzzwords in the lesson-drawing efforts of governmental bureaucracy are examined, and they are viewed as policy ideas for which policy makers are enthusias...
Abstract: This article takes an interest in the effects of buzzwords in the lesson-drawing efforts of governmental bureaucracy. Buzzwords are viewed here as policy ideas for which policy makers are enthusias ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a theoretical understanding of experiences of crisis management among municipal leaders and developed a method for crisis management in a city of a total of 16 chief officers.
Abstract: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical understanding of experiences of crisis management among municipal leaders Design/methodology/approach - A total of 16 chief officers ...
TL;DR: By comparing two newsrooms' responses, one with a traditional mode of production and another with a digital, to the terror attacks of 9/11, the authors demonstrates that newsrooms, in contrast to what...
Abstract: By comparing two newsrooms’ responses, one with a traditional mode of production and one with a digital, to the terror attacks of 9/11, this article demonstrates that newsrooms, in contrast to what ...
TL;DR: The authors examines Washington's efforts under President Lyndon B. Johnson to recruit third country combat assistance during the Vietnam War and concludes that no NATO countries were willing to participate, and some of the five contributing countries (Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines and Thailand) were attracted probably more by American largesse than by idealism.
Abstract: The Vietnam War has generated a vast literature but one which has often forgotten that the United States fought in Vietnam as part of a coalition. This article examines Washington's efforts under President Lyndon B. Johnson to recruit third country combat assistance. He and his colleagues sought military help less for practical reasons than for political ones as a way of legitimizing the war both domestically and abroad. However, no NATO countries were willing to participate, and some of the five troop-contributing countries (Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand) were attracted probably more by American largesse than by idealism. In exploring the diplomacy of coalition-building, this article has a contemporary resonance in the light of the military campaigns initiated by the White House since 2003.
04 Mar 2009
TL;DR: The course design and the laboratory settings that have been developed for, and used within, the high rank officer curriculum at the Swedish National Defence College are presented.
Abstract: To authorize and initiate necessary investments and enforce appropriate policies and procedures, decision-makers need to have at least a fair understanding of computer security fundamentals. This paper presents the course design and the laboratory settings that have been developed for, and used within, the high rank officer curriculum at the Swedish National Defence College. The developed course looks at computer security from an attack versus defend viewpoint, meaning that computer attacks are studied to learn about prevention and self-defense. The paper discusses the pedagogical challenges related to education of high rank officers and similar personnel in light of recently-held courses and contrasts the course relative to similar undertakings. A standpoint taken is that computer security is best taught using hands-on laboratory experiments focusing on problem solving assignments. This is not undisputed since, e.g., high rank officers are busy people who are not fond of getting stuck learning about the peripherals.
TL;DR: In this paper, a number of practical measures are suggested to overcome challenges to an effective compliance of international humanitarian law (IHL) in military operations, including training and education as well as implementation of IHL in different TCNs.
Abstract: The duty to respect international humanitarian law (IHL) in military operations requires effective tools of compliance. Peace operation forces are seldom involved in armed conflict and IHL applies formally only in a minorityof operations. The increasingly volatile environments in which peace operation personnel are required to work, and the trend of enforcement capabilities of such forces, will arguably make the question of compliance with IHL all the more important. Multinational peace operations often include a range of actors–such as the UN, another organisation leading the operation, troop contributing nations (TCNs) and the host state. Differences in training and education as well implementation of IHL in different TCNs makes compliance with IHL in multinational operations a challenging task. The use of special units with their culture of secrecy involves other complex questions. On a more general level, it is not clearly established how responsibility under international is dividedamong the main actors in a multinational peace operation. A number of practical measures are suggested to overcome challenges to an effective compliance of IHL.
TL;DR: Governing After Crisis: The Politics of Investigation, Accountability, and Learning as discussed by the authors is an excellent book about the politics of investigation, accountability, and learning in government after crisis.
Abstract: Book Review of "Governing After Crisis: The Politics of Investigation, Accountability and Learning"
TL;DR: This paper elaborates how the primary planning document, the Systems Engineering Plan (SEP) can be evolved from the document-driven to the model-driven paradigm, and how some SysML diagram types along with architecture framework viewpoints may be used to model the most common content of a SEP.
Abstract: As model-based systems engineering (MBSE) gains ground as a real alternative for complex industrial projects compared to the traditional plan or document-driven systems engineering paradigm, several challenges remain to be dealt with. MBSE requires not only the technological system-of-interest to be included in the common model repository used for MBSE, but also other elements and structures that are used to describe vital aspects of a complex technical project. This paper elaborates how the primary planning document, the Systems Engineering Plan (SEP) can be evolved from the document-driven to the model-driven paradigm, and how some SysML diagram types along with architecture framework viewpoints may be used to model the most common content of a SEP. The evaluation is based on industrial experiences using MBSE in real-world industrial development and procurement projects. Several examples on how SysML may be used to represent SEP elements are presented along with suggestions on potential directions for further work.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the intellectual bonds between Corbett and the British Maritime Doctrine and make distinctions between four different kinds of influence: formal and informal influence, as well as direct and indirect influence.
Abstract: It is widely claimed that the current British Maritime Doctrine is highly influenced by the ideas of British strategist and naval historian Sir Julian S. Corbett. These conclusions, however, rarely originate from systematic empirical investigations of the doctrine itself. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to investigate the intellectual bonds between Corbett and this particular doctrine. In order to bring structure and coherence to the investigation, distinctions are made between four different kinds of influence—formal and informal influence, as well as direct and indirect influence. Although Corbett's influence can certainly be established, it needs to be qualified in at least two respects: his ideas are much more influential in maritime/naval matters on the military-strategic level of war than on operational aspects, and his thinking often seems to be used to “intellectually” legitimize a proposition or a conclusion reached for other reasons. While focusing on certain aspects of Corbettian thi...
TL;DR: In this paper, the US government's efforts to curb the Swedish ball bearing producer SKF's exports to the East early in the Cold War, 1950-1952, and interprets this process within the framework of hegemony theory.
Abstract: This article deals with the US government's efforts to curb the Swedish ball bearing producer SKF's exports to the East early in the Cold War, 1950–1952, and interprets this process within the framework of hegemony theory. In doing this, the article makes use of previously unutilised US archival material. The period up to mid-1951 saw increasing US pressure upon Sweden and SKF to consent to US hegemony by abiding by the Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (CoCom) embargo. To achieve its objectives US policymakers developed a flexible ‘carrot and stick’ approach, and the article adds considerable detail regarding the US government's handling of SKF. US tolerance and flexibility was dependent upon Swedish consent to American hegemony in Western Europe, which was received through the signing of the Stockholm agreement – a hegemonic apparatus through which Sweden's abidance by the embargo was handled – in mid-June 1951. A small amount of exports was accepted by Washington as long ...
01 Jan 2009
TL;DR: A GIS system with the capabilities not only to handle traditional digital maps in raster and vector format but further analysed Remote Sensing data and data from other sensors like GPS positioning and also real time intelligence reports can meet high expectations on civil as military C3 systems.
Abstract: Many decisions, not only in the field of military actions and emergency management, require and gain from a large amount of spatial or geographical information. If these data are handled in a Geographical Information System (GIS) we add possibilities to handle and analyse this type of information in a way that divert substantially from traditional handling of maps. A Geographical Information System is an IS with the capabilities not only to handle traditional digital maps in raster and vector format but further analysed Remote Sensing data and data from other sensors like GPS positioning and also real time intelligence reports. If combined with functions that can deliver critique to suggested decisions by pointing at impossible driving tracks or conflicting goals, the system can meet high expectations on civil as military C3 (Command, Control and Communication) systems. Such approach can also meet the fear of overload of information in such systems. The development in society with globalisation and global dependencies, changing climate, changing demographic situation , more complex society and more complex systems also lead
TL;DR: Baylis, Smith and Owens as mentioned in this paper described Transformative Learning through Globalization of World Politics, 4th edn., 2008, 745 pp, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.
Abstract: Book Review Essay : Transformative Learning through Globalization of World Politics: John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens (eds) The Globalization of World Politics, 4th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008, 745 pp. ISBN 13-978-0-19-929777-1
01 Jul 2009
TL;DR: This paper elaborates on how the primary planning document, the Systems Engineering Plan (SEP) can be evolved from the document‐driven to the model‐driven paradigm, and how some SysML diagram types along with architecture framework viewpoints may be used to model the most common content of a SEP.
Abstract: As model-based systems engineering (MBSE) gains ground as a real alternative for complex industrial projects compared to the traditional plan or document-driven systems engineering paradigm, several challenges remain to be dealt with. MBSE requires not only the technological system-of-interest to be included in the common model repository used for MBSE, but also other elements and structures that are used to describe vital aspects of a complex technical project. This paper elaborates on how the primary planning document, the Systems Engineering Plan (SEP) can be evolved from the document-driven to the model-driven paradigm, and how some SysML diagram types along with architecture framework viewpoints may be used to model the most common content of a SEP. The evaluation is based on industrial experiences using MBSE in real-world industrial development and procurement projects. Several examples on how SysML may be used to represent SEP elements are presented along with suggestions on potential directions for further work.