ABSTRACT
This chapter shows network enabled capability (NEC) exhibits a high degree of overlap with concepts derived from sociotechnical systems theory (SST). Sociotechnical theory brings to NEC research much more than merely conceptual overlap. In virtually all developed civilisations the history in organisational design is wedded to a shared 'industrial age' mindset one that forms the backdrop to both sociotechnical systems and NEC, and one that can be explained with reference more fundamental concept. The chapter explores the domain of SST and to review exactly how it could bestow NEC-like open systems behaviour upon military command and control. Sociotechnical theory offers a theoretical basis from which to design organisations, and moreover, to harness the advantages that NEC-like command and control promises. The sociotechnical approach challenges the dominant techno-centric viewpoint whereby the 'Network' in NEC is seen in terms of merely data and communication networks.
