The terrorist group as a firma business model study of the terrorist groups and their organisational style

Resumen

Terrorism devastating and lasting impacts on society, remains a global threat to peace and security that has yet to be effectively countered. This research adopts a novel approach to terrorism research by investigating terror groups at the organizational level through the lens of multi-product firms. The goal of this study is to develop a business model of a violent non-governmental organization. A realist pragmatic research is employed utilizing Delphi Method with mixed-methods and data to generate consensus from a panel of experts in the field. Triangulation of different data sources validated the significance of key dimensions that form a model of intra-organisational fissure that support the development of anti-terror strategies. The findings reveal four sources of organisational tension: ideological, strategic, economic security that underpin and influence a three-way schism within a terror group that occur when the unique interests of the three main individuals come into conflict. These tensions develop through the interplay of internal individual and group level dynamics. The findings identify multiple triggers and contexts that provide a range of strategies and tactics that maximise the dissent, conflict, fragmentation and collapse of terror groups. The study offers a novel intra-organizational approach to terrorism research in identifying sources of organizational tension at individual and group level dynamics that can support the development of counter-terrorism measures that undermine the core functions and capabilities of terror organisations.