Ready for Battle? A Phenomenological Study of Military Simulation Systems

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to determine if there is task-technology fit for the use of simulation in training. In the context of military training, the research investigated whether military officers experience a fit between the simulations with which they were trained and their tasks (e.g., strategy or operational procedures), as reflected by their perception of whether their performance improved, and whether the simulation supported their individual activities. The research method followed the qualitative research tradition of transcendental phenomenology to query the experience of those who were trained with simulation. This research utilized interview questions that elicit respondents' experience in the broad areas of task-technology fit, and through phenomenological analysis, identified the salient variables within each of these constructs. The analysis resulted in the identification of themes of meaning which were compared with the existing task-technology fit variables. The research identified the emergence of new task-technology fit variables.