International Journal of Defense Acquisition Management (IJDAM)

Editorial Policy

The defense acquisition environment encompasses a number of activities and functions, as elements of the acquisition cycle, which move from the concept for a particular project, system, or support approach to its ultimate disposal. These activities may be seen as professional activities in their own right and as such may have developed a relevant 'body of knowledge'.

However, for acquisition to be recognized as a means of developing competitive advantage or as a means of improving efficiency and effectiveness in military services, acquisition has to be considered in a holistic sense - not as a series of disparate activities. This requires understanding of concepts and applications in an integrated manner and appreciation of impacts of decision making across the spectrum of activities that constitute acquisition.

Our Goals

For acquisition to be considered in a holistic manner, and for professional decision making to be exercised such that enhanced performance can result, we believe that there is a need for a contextualized body of knowledge. The management of defense acquisition is a critical activity for many of the world's nations, yet the subject cries out for sound research that is grounded not only in good methodology but also in one or more existing traditional disciplines. That is the prime motivation behind the International Journal of Defense Acquisition Management, which is intended from the start to be an interdisciplinary and international forum.

With increasing costs of technology and personnel, and the ever increasing demands for cost efficiencies, the need for knowledge of concepts and applications of acquisition is growing; this is exacerbated by a global marketplace that utilizes commercial best practice where appropriate, but where operational imperatives must be paramount.

For defense acquisition to be enhanced, research that adapts to such demands whilst recognizing the political and socio-economic pressures that exist within the complex environment of defense acquisition will be essential for success in a practical application sense.

Invitation to Submit Papers

We welcome educators, practitioners within government and industry, students, researchers and others involved in the wide range of activities that constitute defense acquisition to submit papers for consideration for publication in the Journal.

Given our international focus, we are interested in submissions that deal with acquisition issues in individual and multiple nations. However, we recommend that papers dealing solely with defense acquisition in a specific country contain subject matter or a research methodology that will interest a broad audience. We have developed the accompanying Submission Guidelines to be consistent with our mission. Book reviews and commentaries on specific documents of international interest are also welcome.

With the breadth of activities encompassed within acquisition we are keen to develop a wide ranging ensemble of work that reflects the importance and impacts of this professional environment. This is because we acknowledge that as an integrated environment acquisition has not always received the professional recognition that it should yet by its very nature it includes many people who have a perspective that will enable an all embracing 'Body of Knowledge' to be developed and enhanced.

We believe that there is considerable latent knowledge in the many disparate areas of acquisition and we wish to bring this together through the medium of the Journal, hence we encourage all those involved to consider submitting a paper (in line with the guidelines given elsewhere). In the longer term, as a result, the nature of concepts and critical thinking, processes and applications and, ultimately professional decision making, will be enhanced.

Kevin Burgess, Cranfield University - Contact