| The Purpose of this study is to examine the process and criteria used to assess dual-use technology commodity jurisdictions. This study uses a multiple case study design and assesses the impact of the following mediating variables: detail & accuracy of the commodity jurisdiction package, accuracy of technical assessment, foreign availability, proliferation, impact on military operational security, policy, CJ process time, and impact on economic competitiveness. These variables are analyzed to determine the level of impact on national security. A cross-case analysis technique is used and the results are organized into an antecedent matrix. Causal networks are constructed for further clarification and broken down into variable streams that identify critical factors on the final case outcome.; Sources of data in addition to the case studies include, documents, congressional testimony, policy and procedures guidelines, conference materials, and semi-structured interviews with 20 exporters and government officials.; The study examines the impact of economic competitiveness and foreign availability on 14 cases reviewed by the Air Force in the category of sensor technology. The findings indicated that foreign availability and economic competitiveness were not critical factors on the final outcome of the cases. The study identified deficiencies in the accuracy of the technical assessments performed by the military reviewers. This finding also supported the hypothesis that there are significant delays in processing due to the lack of a clear process. Additional findings supported the position that current U.S. export policies and methods of license assessment are exacerbating the proliferation of the international development of technology.; An analysis of the interviews identified and ranked the most important criteria used by military assessors of export license requests and compared them with U.S. exporters expectations.; Recommendations were made to improve the export commodity jurisdiction and license process while balancing national security interests with domestic and international economic issues. |
