A study of the Communications Services Industrial Fund.

Abstract

The Communications Services Industrial Fund (CSIF) is an integral tool available to the Defense Communications Agency in directing and controlling the operations of the Defense Communications System. This thesis is an analysis of how effective the current structure of the fund has been in allowing the Defense Communications Agency to meet its objectives. A detailed description of the history, purpose and procedures of the fund is provided in the first three chapters. Subsequent chapters examine the fund in the context of management and efficiency difficulties arising from present practices. Alternatives to the current structure are outlined and analyzed. The basic conclusion reached as a result of the study is that there are areas of the fund requiring change if the CSIF is to accomplish its purpose. The incentives derived from existing methodology undermine the benefits which were envisioned when industrial funding was extended to communications.