System Acquisition Management: Exploring the Relationship Between Program andContract Management Personnel at Air Force Product Centers

摘要

The purpose of this study was to test if relationship problems exist betweenprogram and contract management personnel working in system-level acquisition throughout Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). We used a survey instrument to examine a representative sample of program and contract management personnel assigned to various product centers. A similar study was conducted at Aeronautical Systems Division in 1991. However, the survey instrument was inadequate for deriving certain results. Consequently, we improved upon the prior survey and obtained more definite findings. Survey results showed that most program and contract managers believe conflict exists, Also, six of the twelve independent variables studied, (confidence in counterparts, goal compatibility, value in counterparts, communication, travel, and role ambiguity) significantly contributed to the conflict model. Furthermore, matrixed organizations, program management courses not teaching how to deal with contract managers, and the acquisition process itself, were identified as possible conflict contributors, but were not included in the model. Recommendations for improving the program/contract management relationships were subsequently offered to AFMC and suggestions for future research were given. Systems management, Management, Acquisition, Management personnel, Contract management.