Interoperability among complex defense computer -based systems: The Navy case

Interoperability among computer-based systems imposes serious and difficult problems in government. The Department of Defense (DOD) defines interoperability, relative to computer-based systems, as the ability of systems to exchange information and use the exchanged information to operate effectively together. This dissertation explores: (1) The success of DOD and Navy computer-based systems; (2) The achievement of acceptable levels of interoperability among Navy computer-based systems that use DOD and Department of Navy (DON) processes; (3) The success of "work-harder" strategies in improving interoperability; (4) Whether there is evidence that DOD and DON processes employ the Everett Rogers Diffusion-of-Innovation Process Model; and (5) Use of the Everett Rogers Diffusion-of-Innovation Process Model to potentially improve the achievement of interoperability.;This research uses complexity theory, lessons-learned reports and observations, diffusion theory, and historical infrastructure studies to explore interoperability among DOD and Navy computer-based systems. DOD and Navy computer-based systems not only embody system technology complexity but also impact complexity across organizations, processes, and acronyms, terminology, and definitions. The findings of this research are: (1) Lessons-learned reports and senior leaders disclose that interoperability problems degrade the success of DOD and Navy computer-based systems. (2) Cancellation of policy documents to implement DOD and DON processes and inadequate documents resulting from these processes indicate that use of them is not achieving acceptable levels of interoperability. (3) "Work harder" strategies have thus far failed to make Navy computer-based systems interoperable at acceptable levels. Surprisingly, Congress has not weighed in from an overall interoperability resolution perspective. (4) Everett Rogers uses diffusion theory research in a Diffusion-of-Innovation Process Model. Diffusion theory and, particularly, the Rogers model are potentially useful in DOD and DON policy processes to achieve interoperability at acceptable levels. These processes inherently use the research and model but not deliberately or in any substantial way. (5) Historical infrastructures successfully achieved interoperability by establishing social technology infrastructures. The Everett Rogers Diffusion-of-Innovation Process Model potentially offers a means of establishing a social technology infrastructure conducive to achieving acceptable levels of interoperability among DOD and Navy systems.