Rapport Development and Native Language Use Between US Advisors and Afghan Counterparts

185 Pages·2017·1.22 MB·English

Walden University
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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2017
Rapport Development and Native Language Use
Between U.S. Advisors and Afghan Counterparts
Sean Ryan Ryan
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Management and Technology

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Sean Ryan

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Richard Schuttler, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty
Dr. Karla Phlypo, Committee Member, Management Faculty
Dr. David Banner, University Reviewer, Management Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2017
Abstract
Rapport Development and Native Language Use Between U.S. Advisors and Afghan
Counterparts
by
Sean Ryan

MS, U.S. Army War College, 2006
MA, Touro University, 2003
BS, United States Military Academy, 1982

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Management

Walden University
May 2017
Abstract
Advisory activities form a central element of the U.S. National Security Strategy to
mitigate the need for employment of large military formations. The commitment of large
U.S. combat formations has resulted in more than 6,000 fatalities since September 11,
2001; poor relationship skills were cited as contributing factors in 51 or more fratricide-
murders of U.S. soldiers by Afghan compatriots in 2012. Informed by social exchange
theory, servant leadership theory, and role theory, the Army conceptual rapport
framework provided a lens for this phenomenological symbolic interactionism study of
rapport between Afghan counterparts and U.S. advisors. Participants included 15
English-speaking Afghan soldiers, police, and government officials. Data from semi-
structured interviews conducted via Internet or telephone were manually coded and
analyzed for overarching themes. Findings indicated that mutual understanding and
respect were principal components to building rapport, and rudimentary use of Afghan
languages by U.S. advisors provided symbolic value that contributed to rapport
development. Findings may contribute to positive social change by informing advisor
employment policies, enhancing preparatory training, and improving relationships
between U.S. advisors and the foreign leaders with whom they work.
Rapport Development and Native Language Use Between U.S. Advisors and Afghan
Counterparts
by
Sean Ryan

MS, U.S. Army War College, 2006
MA, Touro University, 2003
BS, United States Military Academy, 1982

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Management

Walden University
May 2017
Dedication
This study is dedicated to my father, John J. Ryan, Jr., a man who cherished
lifelong learning.
Acknowledgments
I wish to thank my family, friends, and colleagues for unwavering support
throughout this doctoral journey. Special thanks go to my wife, Lei, for her patience,
support, and understanding for the countless hours that were spent on academics,
research, and writing this study. My sister, Maureen, and brother, Lou, were steady and
consistent in their support and encouragement.
My dissertation committee, Drs. Rich Schuttler and Karla Phlypo, provided
inspiration, encouragement, and critical guidance throughout the process of scoping,
drafting, and completing this dissertation. Drs. Lester Grau, Anna Simons, and Andrea
Dew, friends and colleagues for many years, not only provided insights and
encouragement, but also stepped up when asked to support my field study. Dr. Lilburn
Hoehn, an inspiration and mentor, always answered my calls, provided his perspectives
and experience as the idea for this study developed, and also offered his assistance
supporting my field test. Dr. Michelle Preiksaitis and Professor Joyce Busch gave freely
of their time encouraging and helping me to press on and finish.
My good friends and colleagues, Major General (Retired) Richard Sherlock,
Brigadier General (Retired) Richard Mills, Warrant Officer Joe Rudolf, and Master
Sergeant (Retired) Andy Lord remained loyal and supportive friends throughout this
journey just as they did throughout numerous deployments, operations, and assignments
that ranged from classrooms to combat.
Last, but not least, I must acknowledge the courageous Afghans who spent time
sharing their experiences and perspectives with me. Their dedication to improving the
conditions in Afghanistan was inspiring. Their contributions made this research possible.
Table of Contents
List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v
List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1
Background of the Study ...............................................................................................2
Problem Statement .........................................................................................................8
Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................9
Research Questions ......................................................................................................10
Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................10
Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................12
Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................12
Definitions....................................................................................................................14
Assumptions .................................................................................................................15
Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................15
Limitations ...................................................................................................................16
Significance of the Study .............................................................................................17
Significance to Practice......................................................................................... 17
Significance to Theory .......................................................................................... 18
Significance to Social Change .............................................................................. 18
Summary and Transition ..............................................................................................19
Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................21
Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................24
i
Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................27
Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................35
Literature Review.........................................................................................................39
Historical Background .......................................................................................... 39
Contemporary Research ........................................................................................ 44
Summary and Conclusions ..........................................................................................67
Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................71
Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................72
Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................75
Methodology ................................................................................................................76
Participant Selection Logic ................................................................................... 87
Instrumentation ..................................................................................................... 89
Pilot Study ............................................................................................................. 91
Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection .......................... 92
Data Analysis Plan ................................................................................................ 95
Issues of Trustworthiness ...........................................................................................101
Credibility ........................................................................................................... 101
Transferability ..................................................................................................... 102
Dependability ...................................................................................................... 103
Confirmability ..................................................................................................... 103
Ethical Procedures .............................................................................................. 104
Summary ....................................................................................................................106
ii
Chapter 4: Results ............................................................................................................107
Pilot Study ..................................................................................................................109
Research Setting.........................................................................................................111
Demographics ............................................................................................................112
Data Collection ..........................................................................................................113
Data Analysis .............................................................................................................116
Evidence of Trustworthiness......................................................................................118
Credibility ........................................................................................................... 118
Transferability ..................................................................................................... 119
Dependability ...................................................................................................... 120
Confirmability ..................................................................................................... 121
Study Results .............................................................................................................121
Thematic outcomes ..........................................................................................................122
Summary ....................................................................................................................133
Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations ..........................................135
Interpretation of Findings ..........................................................................................136
Limitations of the Study.............................................................................................143
Recommendations ......................................................................................................144
Implications................................................................................................................147
Conclusions ................................................................................................................151
References ........................................................................................................................153
Appendix A: Interview Protocol ......................................................................................166
iii