The Contest With Context

<p>This study investigates when and how military innovation occurs and what significant historical lessons can inform innovation in the United States Air Force. Theories that emphasize conflict relationships culture and structure are reviewed and four working hypotheses emerge. First context matters most. Second the organization's culture must tolerate debate and accept the challenge of change. Third politically-adept change-oriented leaders must emerge at multiple strata within the organization. Fourth rigorous experimentation to solve problems and demonstrate the utility of the change is paramount. Two historical examples provide evidence for the analysis: the development of carrier aviation before the Second World War in which the Royal Navy failed to innovate and the United States Navy succeeded and the development of mechanized warfare during the same period in which the British Army failed and the German Army succeeded. The study relies primarily on secondary source material. Analysis of the historical evidence supports the four working hypotheses. Further observations of significance include the importance of how the grand challenge is characterized in the outcome of an innovation; how the interwar debates about airpower both helped and hindered innovation; that evolutionary combined-arms approaches appeared to be more successful; and that this type of change often required a generation or more before it was realized. Five key implications for the Air Force follow from the analysis. First leaders must first be aware of and manipulate contextual factors when possible. Second leaders must foster a culture that tolerates dissent. Third leaders must identify and prepare other innovative leaders throughout the organization. Fourth leaders must emplace a rigorous and systemic process for experimentation. Finally personal professional intellectual development must become a requirement of every officer.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>