Organizational Structure and Technological Innovation in the Air Force

Abstract

Abstract : The Air Force is dependent upon technology to ensure we can meet our national security objectives. Acquisition of new weapons systems is expensive and a significant portion of the Air Force budget. However, organizational changes which could possibly increase our capability to meet acquisition goals are relatively inexpensive. Through an analysis of organization structure and technological innovation, the study presents characteristics of organization's likely to innovate. Next, the project addresses technology and organization structure in the Air Force and looks at some selected Air Force Systems Command organizations. The report ends with project conclusions. The study approach was developed in response to the problem statement, 'Can organization structure enhance the integration of new technology into Air Force weapons systems? In order to resolve this problem, the first step is to determine the relationship between organization structure and technological innovation. The second step in the study approach was to determine if recognition of the above relationship can affect integration of technology into Air Force weapons systems. The analysis examined the structure of Air Force organizations responsible for acquisition of weapons systems and reviewed the procedures for weapons systems acquisition to determine how the Air Force acquires new technology.