Small state perspectives on learning, improvement, and institutionalization – a case study

Abstract

This article describes and discusses the perspectives of a small state - Norway - on the innovation process accompanying the introduction of a new joint targeting concept and the practices associated with it. Most case studies in this field and on such topics are based on controlled experiments and have a rather narrow, normative perspective. Unlike these, the present case study is grounded on four years of inductive fieldwork - “in the wild” - and its analyses are holistic, qualitative, and comparative. This study is inductive in the classical sense of using fieldwork, but also because the research focus changed from initially studying a decision-making process to becoming part of the community of practice and sharing in its learning, improvements, and institutionalizing processes. The article empirically describes how different arenas for learning and improving - writing steering documents, military exercises, seminars, and education - are closely intertwined in dialectical processes during everyday life in military organizations. It analyzes the case holistically, looking at how the macro-, meso-, and micro-levels are always in play at the same time : the international political changes affect national institutions, which give directions to individuals. It also works the other way round: practices and actions at micro-level change procedures and policies in the institutional meso-level and can have strategic effects at the macro-level. Small and big nations operate differently. The scale of small states can be utilized as an asset and a strength : information, innovation, and improvement processes can be conducted very fast - because everybody knows everyone else. The key in this case was to build a community of practice and strengthen the networks transcending hierarchical levels, and nurture a culture of innovation and improvement, cherish diversity, and utilize their size. The analysis also sheds light on potential issues in combined joint operations - meaning several nations and military services working together.