Accession Number:

ADA505425

Title:

Sustaining Competitive Advantage: Mental Models and Organizational Learning for Future Marines

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

MARINE CORPS UNIV QUANTICO VA SCHOOL OF ADVANCED WARFIGHTING (SAW)

Personal Author(s):

• Vivian, W. H.

Report Date:

2007-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

32.0

Abstract:

Napoleon shocked the Prussians at Jena. The Prussian generals could not conceive of an entity capable of defeating the system designed by Frederick the Great. Wedded to a scheme that brought them past successes, the Prussians were unable to see the new conditions confronting them. The Prussians never fully recognized the true extent of the mental rigidity and deterioration afflicting the generals until that October afternoon in 1806, at Jena and Auerstedt. The Prussian generals did not see what was happening in the world around them because their collective frame of mind would not allow new ideas to intrude. This historical example--and countless others like it--includes the elements of change and an inability to perceive change. In this case and many others, warfare changed in form to such a degree it triumphed over the preceding form, and the people involved believed their era witnessed the advent of rapid and fundamental conversion. Complexity theory says the people in each era were correct. Systems capable of the most complex, sophisticated responses will always have the edge in a competitive world. Warfare represents the ultimate in human competition, and as such, warfare will continually evolve in form toward increasing sophistication and complexity.

Descriptors:

• *MENTAL ABILITY
• *THEORY
• *MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL
• *MILITARY ART
• *DECISION MAKING
• THESES
• BEHAVIOR
• LEARNING
• MODELS
• ORGANIZATIONS
• COMPETITION
• GLOBAL
• WARFARE
• COGNITION

Subject Categories:

• Military Forces and Organizations
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE