The Influence of U.S. Strategic Culture on Innovation and Adaptation in the U.S. Army

摘要

Culture is an abstract phenomenon that influences its environment. According to culture theorist Edgar Schein, a€?culture is an abstraction, yet the forces that are created in social and organizational situations that derive from culture are powerful. If we dona€?t understand the operation of these forces, we become victim to them.a€? As a subset of culture, the strategic culture of the United States requires study so we can understand its influences on innovation and adaptation in the U.S. Army, and try to manage those that adversely affect the insititutiona€?s ongoing transformation. Using the American Interwar era (1919-1941) as a casebased on some similarities to the contemporary periodthis article focuses on the adverse influences of Americaa€?s strategic culture on innovation and adaptation in the U.S. Army to provide insight to Army leaders addressing similar (recurring) cultural hindrances to transformation. As the Army transforms amidst conflict and budget reductions, it is important to examine and mitigate the negative influences of the broader strategic culture on its ability to innovate and adapt.