Information Sharing in Multinational Peacekeeping Operations

Abstract

Information sharing can be difficult in multinational coalitions because different cultures introduce different languages, norms, national interests, and even different leadership styles. One approach to bridging the cultural divide is creating a hybrid work culture formed from the cultures that compose the coalition. The big question is how this hybrid culture can be brought about. In this chapter, we argue, first, that pre-deployment training in foreign languages, soft skills, common meetings, and an overarching ideology facilitate a hybrid culture and thus effective information sharing. Second, we propose that one of the most important "soft skills" needed to bridge cultural difference is the willingness and the ability of individual members of different cultures to engage in negotiation. We support our contention with a case study of peacekeepers' perceptions of the challenges with information sharing and collaboration in building a hybrid organizational culture.