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Devolving command under conflicting military objectives

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Smith, J. Q., Dodd, Lorraine and Moffat, J. (2008) Devolving command under conflicting military objectives. Working Paper. Coventry: University of Warwick. Centre for Research in Statistical Methodology (CRiSM). Working papers, Vol.2008 (No.9).

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Abstract

Command and Control (C2) arrangements aim to ensure their autonomous but rational commanders act in a way that is consistent with
C2's overall objectives. This can be a challenge, especially in scenarios
where individual commanders face conflicting objectives: the success of a
mission verses the compromise of a campaign. Building on our experiences
in observing the reactions of military in simulated conflict, in this paper
we demonstrate how multiattribute utility theory can be used to model
the effects of such conflicting objectives on a particular commander's actions. We show that the geometrical forms of expected utilities that arise
from the assumption of commander rationality are qualitatively stable in
a wide range of scenarios and therefore open to analysis. We proceed to
demonstrate how an appreciation of this geometry can aid understanding
of the relationship between complex operational environments and the
C2 arrangements and also inform selection and training of personnel to
address such conflicts appropriately.

Item Type:

Working or Discussion Paper (Working Paper)

Subjects:

Q Science > QA Mathematics
U Military Science > U Military Science (General)

Divisions:

Faculty of Science > Statistics

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):

Military statistics, Command and control systems, Operational readiness (Military science)

Series Name:

Working papers

Publisher:

University of Warwick. Centre for Research in Statistical Methodology (CRiSM)

Place of Publication:

Coventry

Official Date:

17 March 2008

Dates:

Date	Event
17 March 2008	Published

Volume:

Vol.2008

Number:

No.9

Number of Pages:

Status:

Not Peer Reviewed

Access rights to Published version:

Open Access

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