Cultivating Optimal Collaborative Decision Making in Counterterrorism Contexts: An Empirical Investigation

ABSTRACT

Collaborative decision making (CDM) is an important facilitator of effective response in emergencies. However, due to institutional differences, attainment of optimal CDM (OCDM) remains problematic. Thus, based on previous literature on CDM and institutional theory, this study examines the influence of enablers (e.g. organizational form, information and knowledge sharing, technical infrastructure, and informal relationships) on OCDM. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine the proposed hypotheses using a sample of 176 respondents. The results illustrated that attainment of OCDM is challenging since it is characterized by numerous organizational factors that agencies need to consider. Amongst the three pillars of institutional theory, the regulative pillar offers more insights on issues related to rules, discourse and practice and hence the challenges of OCDM attainment.

KEYWORDS:

• Collaborative decision making
• institutional theory
• emergencies
• counterterrorism
• PLS-SEM

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.