Kollektiv sensemaking og informasjonsstruktur i nettverksbaserte operasjoner - et human factor perspektiv

One of the principal aims of FFI project 1084 Samhandling i Nettverk - Eksperimentering (Interaction in Network – Experimentation) is to explore interaction in relation to network-based technologies. In particular the aim of this report is to make a foundation for the study of both the technological and organizational mechanisms that might underlie the development of common basis for action, within military organizations and in military-civilian cooperation. The relationship between collective sensemaking, communication conditions and informationinfrastructure is the main theme of the theoretical considerations. Theories that make a foundation for understanding the impact of use of media and informationinfrastructure on the elaboration of common basis for action are presented, based on the view that information processing is a core aspect of organizations. The relationship between development of common basis for action and collective knowledge, e.g. transactive memory, and coordination, e.g. selfsynchronization, is discussed. A review of empirical research on both military and civilian operations highlights that collective sensemaking and the use of information technology to some degree has been investigated. Especially, the organizational mechanisms that enable the effective construction of a common basis for action, has been studied so far. However, this review suggests a need to study, within a military and military-civilian collaborative context, the importance of distributed communication on collective sensemaking and self-synchronization during operations, and the development of transactive memory in distributed temporary teams.