A Metasynthesis of Case Study Findings for Transforming Air Force Network Operations to Improve Warfighter Effectiveness

This paper argues that cumulative case study research findings can provide relevant inputs to an Air Force network operations transformation strategy aimed at improving warfighter effectiveness. Specifically, it examines how Air Force network operations strategic transformation decisions can be made with the aid of research findings along three transformational themes: people, technology, and strategy. A metasynthesis of case study research literature from the past five years concerning military transformation, network-centric warfare and network operations is presented to support the argument. The focus of the metasynthesis is on how transformation of people, technology, and strategy relate to improving warfighter effectiveness. The relevance of transformation is that it is the military’s current and expected future means of changing how it fights and how it does business. Network-centric warfare is an emerging theory of war in the Information Age (OFT2, 2005, 3) that directly involves transforming people, technology, and strategy. The methodology as applied in this study provides an example means for action officers and transformational leaders to achieve their desired ends in transforming Air Force network operations to improve warfighter effectiveness. The findings reveal that the potential gains in warfighter effectiveness by transforming people, technology, and strategy include increased combat power, speed of command or maneuver, or increased effectiveness through improved collaboration, situational awareness and self-synchronization.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.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.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.