Trust and information sharing in multinational–multiagency teams

Abstract

International responses to humanitarian disasters, terrorism, criminal activities, and pandemics have increasingly involved integrated multiagency civil–military teams whose success depends on their ability to effectively share information. Trust is critical to effective collaboration and information sharing in civilian, military, and multiagency teams. This chapter defines trust and its essential characteristics, and then specifies the variety of ways in which trust can affect information sharing. We also outline the array of challenges faced by most multinational and multiagency teams that can undermine the trust–information-sharing relationship. We conclude by outlining principles that promote trust and some ways in which trust may be developed and maintained in the demanding context of multinational–multiagency missions.