SNOWBALL NETWORKING: MAKING SECURITY COOPERATION MORE EFFECTIVE THROUGH PERSONAL COMMUNICATION
SNOWBALL NETWORKING: MAKING SECURITY COOPERATION MORE EFFECTIVE THROUGH PERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Summary/Abstract: Today’s security cooperation that requires fast, effective and secure sharing of information across national borders and agency bureaucracies increasingly emphasizes the role of networks. This paper introduces the concept of snowball networking – developing security professional networks through personal recommendations – and explores specific factors of international security policy education (ISPE) that lead to building, utilizing and expanding professional networks in the field of international security. Based on a survey administered to alumni of the George C. Marshal European Center of Security Studies (MC) in Germany, the research found that trust in classmates, hierarchical standing, education level, and duration of ISPE engagement were the key determinants for the development and utilization of professional networks. Additionally, MC alumni who, upon graduation, maintained personal communication with classmates were inclined to engage in snowball networking and to build new contacts with heretofore unknown members of the MC network.

• Details
• Contents