Inter‐organisational communication in civil–military cooperation during complex emergencies: a case study in Afghanistan1 |
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| Authors: | Sebastiaan JH Rietjens Kirsten Verlaan Thijs W Brocades Zaalberg Sirp J De Boer |
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| Institution: | 1. Assistant Professor at the Netherlands Defence Academy, Breda, The Netherlands;2. Staff member at the Netherlands Ministry of Interior, The Hague, The Netherlands;3. Research Associate at the Netherlands Institute of Military History, The Hague, The Netherlands;4. Associate Professor in the Department of International Management, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. |
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| Abstract: | This paper seeks to contribute to an improved information management and exchange between humanitarian organisations and military agents in complex emergencies. To do so, a theoretical information management process model was developed and applied to the case of information management between International Security Assistance Force troops and humanitarian organisations such as Cordaid, DACAAR and the International Office for Migration in Kabul, Afghanistan. Based on this analysis the main shortcomings and problems in each stage of the information management process were identified. These include a lack of structured information databases, the absence of identification of information needs, and an over‐classification of documents by the military. Using a logical framework analysis, six major improvement tactics were developed, including the creation of more overlap in rotations of personnel, the specification of aims and tasks regarding information management, the improvement of skills and competences of personnel involved, and the introduction of regular joint civil–military evaluations. |
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| Keywords: | Afghanistan civil– military interaction information exchange information management |
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