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Team production on the battlefield: Evidence from NATO in Afghanistan

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  • Fetzer, Thiemo
  • Vanden Eynde, Oliver
  • Wright, Austin L.

Abstract

Managing military operations across and between teams of partner nations remains a first-order challenge to security and development during conflict. NATO, under the umbrella of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), brought together troops from 28 countries to help enhance security provision in Afghanistan. ISAF units were given responsibility for specific operational units. The assignment of responsibilities to different national armed forces could lead to coordination problems. We explore whether the provision of security is affected by horizontal frictions (when different countries are responsible for different sides of borders) or vertical frictions (when different countries control different levels of the operational hierarchy). We find that both horizontal frictions and vertical frictions are also associated with higher levels of insurgent violence. They also reduce military support activities, including aid projects and patrol activity. These findings indicate that misalignment between units within military organizations can undermine the effectiveness of security and development interventions during war.

Suggested Citation

  • Fetzer, Thiemo & Vanden Eynde, Oliver & Wright, Austin L., 2026. "Team production on the battlefield: Evidence from NATO in Afghanistan," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:241:y:2026:i:c:s0167268125005025
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2025.107385
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    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. repec:unl:unlfep:wp2507 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Marion Richard & Oliver Vanden Eynde, 2025. "Cooperation between National Armies: Evidence from the Sahel borders," NOVAFRICA Working Paper Series wp2507, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics, NOVAFRICA.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production

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