Homeland security collaboration : catch phrase or preeminent organizational construct?

Abstract

Since September 11, 2001, numerous documents have been produced by various governmental agencies, and the private sector, addressing homeland security issues. Many of these publications identify a need to create multidiscipline, multi-agency cooperative environments at all levels of government and within the private sector in order to resolve homeland security problems. Although these cooperative environments are deemed collaboration, a common definition of collaboration is missing from the literature. More importantly, also missing from the literature is guidance on how to achieve collaboration. This project identifies a common, measurable definition for collaboration. The research identified existing organizations that address homeland security issues that do not meet the definition of collaboration but are successful in addressing current problems. Conclusions of this project include: [1] Organizations can effectively manage homeland security issues although they have not reached true collaboration [2] Collaboration is the desired organizational structure as the most efficient organizational structure dealing with homeland security concerns. Future homeland security publications need to include a definition of collaboration and guidance to achieve it.