Defence Management in Uncertain Times

Defence managers, like their counterparts in both the public and private sector need to learn to cope with change and the resulting uncertainty. This is no easy task for uncertain situations meaning that there are no sure answers or solutions. This volume represents the attempts of its contributors, military and academic, to assist in the process. To some extent uncertainty is nothing new, indeed it may be the only certainty in an era of rapid social change, increasing economic pressures. The end of the Cold War, a rise in global terrorism and rapid developments in informatics have accelerated the pace of change. Tried and trusted techniques that served well in the past are no longer appropriate in an era where defence services must be ready to challenge unknown adversaries, accept a range of responsibilities in operations other than war, and where even fundamental social values are being changed and challenged. This volume maintains a practical focus by offering contributions from serving officers aswell as academics. Subjects covered range from the broad context of international affairs since 11 September 2001, to the finer detail of maintaining a proper work-life balance for serving men and women. The editors have set out to make each chapter challenging and informative; to widen the debate in matters of defence management; and to offer practical wisdom to those managers of defence who must cope with uncertain times.

Teri McConville gained practical management experience in the public sector. Following professional training and a commission in Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service, she moved into the NHS where she worked as a nursing officer and Sister Tutor. Teri gained a PhD from the University of Plymouth before joining the Defence Management group at the Royal Military College of Science to teach Organisational Behaviour. She is currently involved in research activity surrounding the debate over women in combat, and the 'piggy in the middle' effect of line management Richard Holmes is Professor of Military and Security Studies at Cranfield University, Royal Military College of Science. He has written many books including Redcoat: The British Soldier in the Age of Horse and Musket (2001) and has edited The Oxford Companion to Military History (2001). He regularly writes and presents television documentaries: his BBC2 series Battlefields was screened in the summer of 2001. He is Editor of the new Fields of Battle series from Cassell. Until late 2000 he was Director of Reserve Forces and Cadets in the MoD having served in the Territorial Army as an infantry officer since 1969