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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Education
Notes
- Content Advice:
- Prior to September 11, 2001, terrorist organizations were depicted in the United States media and in publications as “loosely organized” rogue groups that committed acts of terror. However, since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, these same communications and governmental outlets have revisited their understanding of terrorist organizations. The attacks of September 11, 2001 revealed that some terrorist organizations’ infrastructures are comparable to those of legitimate organizations in their hierarchy, structure, and learning styles. I believe National Security (NS) personnel realize that they have formidable adversaries that demand a closer review of their capabilities. Although there have been studies of terrorist organizations that have provided insight into their learning processes, these studies have had gaps, particularly in relation to the internal components of learning that are at work within such organizations. This study addressed these internal learning processes. Purpose : The purpose of this study was to explore organizational learning (OL) processes and how these processes relate to illegitimate organizations, such as Hezbollah. It will also add to the literature that exists regarding OL processes. In order to meet these objectives, a qualitative case study was used to explore how Hezbollah learns and how members apply what they learn. This knowledge could assist NS personnel in combating terrorism in general and the terrorism of Hezbollah in particular. Method : The method employed in this study was a qualitative exploratory case study. The theoretical framework consisted of a review of OL theories (frameworks), a review of available literature on terrorism related to learning, and an assessment of an organization that has engaged in terrorism, specifically, Hezbollah, and its applied learning processes. Hezbollah was chosen because it was the first documented terrorist organization to have two branches of operation, social and political. The data for this study was collected from archival sources. Purposeful sampling of archival data was used in which data was sequentially collected and analyzed toward saturation of the subject matter. The researcher used purposive sampling because the researcher was not able to enumerate and sample from all the interviews and other documents related to Hezbollah. The sample for this study consisted of a review of thirty-three (33) interviews in order to understand Hezbollah’s pattern of learning. The data from these archival sources was analyzed, interpreted, coded, and triangulated. Major Findings : This study revealed a summary of the themes regarding OL processes and Hezbollah, which responded to the first research question: Do terrorist organizations, specifically Hezbollah, learn? The study resulted in two major themes related to the first research question: changes in routine and practices in response to experience, and double loop learning. The second research question asked: If learning is indeed taking place, what do Hezbollah’s OL processes look like? In response to this question, themes emerged regarding OL possesses as they related to the second research question: recruitment, training, and indoctrination. Gaining an understanding of OL can be an important component in successful law enforcement or intelligence activity in regard to the problem of terrorism and the design of counter-terrorism strategies. Insight gained from this research may assist NS personnel and/or HRD practitioners to enhance methods of combating terrorism as it pertains to Hezbollah. From an HRD perspective, the foreseen benefits of this study will be to address the need to both analyze current understanding and stimulate further research of OL as it pertains to terrorist organizations.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--Barry University, 2008.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-117).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Serena C. McKenzie. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- HV6431.M35 2008_McKenzieSerena ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- HV6431.M35 2008 ( lcc )
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