Måltvetydighet & operationalisering av mål i den offentliga sektorn : En studie inom Försvarsmakten

Title: Goal ambiguity and operationalization of goals in the public sector - A study within the Swedish Armed Forces Introduction: While management by objectives is a commonly used method within the public sector, it has been subject to varied criticism from previous researchers. This is what sparked our initial interest to conduct this study. The Swedish Armed Forces has described the objectives of the regulatory letter as unclear and unspecified. Thus, a certain goal ambiguity can be detected. This goal ambiguity creates space for interpretation among the parties involved in regard to translation and operationalization of the objectives. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to fill a gap regarding operationalization of goals which are characterized by goal ambiguity. We intend to describe the process from generally expressed goals to concrete actions. The generally expressed goals create opportunities for goal ambiguity and interpretation, which in turn affect the translation that results in the actual actions. The empirical context for the study is the Swedish Armed Forces. Method: The study has a qualitative research approach, where the empirical data collection consists of a document study and interviews at the Swedish Armed Forces. Conclusion: The Swedish government controls the Swedish Armed Forces through instructions and regulatory letters. The Swedish Armed Forces initially operationalizes these documents within the headquarters, and later throughout the various units and levels of the organization. The achieved goal completion is reported back upwards in the organization before it finally reaches the government through an annual report. A conclusion can be drawn that a certain goal ambiguity, and strategic goal ambiguity, occurs, through various forms and on various levels within the organization. Goal ambiguity is reduced through the translation and operationalization of goals, which requires that the operationalization process is well-functioning to achieve goal completion.