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Book
The Yin-Yang Military. Ambidextrous Perpectives on Change in Military Organizations
(2021)
  • Dr. Jacqueline Heeren-Bogers, Netherlands Defence Academy
  • Rene Moelker, Netherlands Defence Academy
  • Esmeralda Kleinreesink, Netherlands Defence Academy
  • Jan van der Meulen, Netherlands Defence Academy
  • Joseph Soeters, Netherlands Defence Academy
  • Robert Beeres, Netherlands Defence Academy
Abstract
This book examines change processes and the challenge of ambidexterity in military organizations. It discusses how military organizations can better adapt to the complex, and at times chaotic, environments they operate in by developing organizational ambidexterity. The authors identify various multiple tasks and functions of military organizations that require multi-dimensional and often contradictory operational, technological, cultural, and social skills. In analogy to the often-opposed functions performed by the right and left hand of the body, modern military organizations are no longer one-dimensional fighting machines, but characterized by a duality of tasks, such as fighting and peacekeeping which often make part and parcel of one and the same mission. The military is both a “hot” and a “cold” organization (a crisis management organization and a bureaucracy). As such, the book argues that these dualities are not necessarily opposed but can serve as complementary forces, like the yin and yang, to better the overall performance of these organizations. As a consequence, ambidextrous organizations excel at complex tasking and are adaptable to new challenges. Divided into four parts: 1) structures and networks; 2) cultural issues; 3) tasks and roles; 4) nations and allies, it appeals to scholars of military studies and organization studies as well as professionals working for governmental or military organizations. 
Keywords
  • Military,
  • change management,
  • organisational ambidexterity
Publication Date
2021
Editor
Jacqueline Heeren-Bogers, Rene Moelker, Esmeralda Kleinreesink, Jan Van der Meulen, Joseph Soeters, Robert Beeres
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
ISBN
978-3-030-52433-3
DOI
10.1007/978-3-030-52433-3
Citation Information
Jacqueline Heeren-Bogers, Rene Moelker, Esmeralda Kleinreesink, Jan van der Meulen, et al.. The Yin-Yang Military. Ambidextrous Perpectives on Change in Military Organizations. 1Cham, Switzerland(2021) p. XII - 248
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/esmeralda_kleinreesink/31/