Using the concept of mission command in defence resources management – the case of Romania

Abstract

ABSTRACT Elements of mission command can be found in successful styles of leadership both in military and in business environments, as it is based on empowering subordinates or employees to make decisions, encouraging their confidence and creativity to solve problems/achieve objectives. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential advantages and drawbacks of applying this concept to the field of defence resources management, by analysing the common areas between these approaches. The research hypothesis is that the concept of mission command can be approached as a management process aimed at achieving clearly identified objectives, similar to the processes of project management, programme management, or defence resource management in general. The paper uses qualitative research methods, based on the analysis of existing specialised literature regarding the concept of mission-based command, the concept of defence resource management, and on an exploratory research, based on unstructured interviews with specialists in the two fields.