A Knowledge Taxonomy for Military Interoperability: The United States and Brazil in Peacekeeping and Stabilization Operations

Abstract

This article aims to identify and clarify the types of knowledge necessary in the military for developing interoperability in peacekeeping and stability operations. These operations are complex endeavors that often require close collaboration among different services, functions, and nations to achieve their goals. However, the taxonomy of knowledge requirements for effective interoperability remains unorganized and undertheorized in scholarly literature. Combining deductive and inductive methods, this exploratory article seeks to address these issues. It employs a pragmatic deductive framework and explores four relevant categories of knowledge from Lundvall’s Taxonomy (know-what, know-why, know-how, and know-who). The inductive inquiry draws on primary interviews and data from the Armed Forces of two important case studies: the United States and Brazil. The article aims to contribute to theoretical growth and future studies while also informing practical approaches to military interoperability in peace operations.