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Team production on the battlefield: Evidence from NATO in Afghanistan

Author

Listed:
  • Fetzer, Thiemo

    (University of Warwick & University of Bonn, & CEPR)

  • Vanden Eynde, Oliver

    (Paris School of Economics and affiliated with the CNRS, CEPR)

  • Wright, Austin L

    (Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago)

Abstract
Managing military operations across and between teams of partner nations remains a first-order challenge to security and development during conflict. NATO, under the umbrella of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), brought together troops from 28 countries to help enhance security provision in Afghanistan. ISAF units were given responsibility for specific operational units. The assignment of responsibilities to different national armed forces could lead to coordination problems. We explore whether the provision of security is affected by horizontal frictions (when different countries are responsible for different sides of borders) or vertical frictions (when different countries control different levels of the operational hierarchy). We find that both horizontal frictions and vertical frictions reduce military support activities, including aid projects. They are also associated with higher levels of insurgent violence. These findings indicate that misalignment between units within military organizations can undermine the effectiveness of security and development interventions during war, with broader implications for managing complex teams under risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Fetzer, Thiemo & Vanden Eynde, Oliver & Wright, Austin L, 2024. "Team production on the battlefield: Evidence from NATO in Afghanistan," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1500, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wrk:warwec:1500
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    National Security ; Public Goods Provision ; Org. Behavior & Management JEL Codes: D72; D74; L23;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production

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