Date of Award

12-1997

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Abstract

The escalation of interest in information as a corporate resource is reflected in the military's quest for information superiority. A volume of directives, articles, and doctrine is appearing to meet the unique challenges presented by information as a resource. Discussions of how to achieve information superiority have given rise to investigations of such related concepts as information warfare and information operations, with associated taxonomies and ideas of how to use information capabilities for attack and defense. This thesis examines information superiority and the related concepts, and examines current information technology initiatives in order to discern the characteristics which can aid in the quest for information superiority. A synthesis of the most prominent perspectives on information superiority is formed. In the context of this definition, a process model of information superiority and its necessary activities is developed, with acquisition and decision making identified as key. The idea of information technology as enabling information superiority is probed, and an alternate view proposed; contending that information technology is more likely to be detrimental to information superiority unless certain criteria are met. The resulting conceptual model depicts the key attributes of information superiority and information technology, and represents the relationships between these concepts.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GIR-LAL-97D-5

DTIC Accession Number

ADA335235

Comments

Thesis presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Logistics and Acquisitions Management.

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