Title: The emergence of defence contractors as knowledge workers: an analysis of expansion opportunities into BRIC nations

Authors: Daniel Thoman; Robert Lloyd; Mallory Milstead

Addresses: George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030, USA ' Fort Hays State University, 600 Park Street, Hays, KS 67601, USA ' Fort Hays State University, 600 Park Street, Hays, KS 67601, USA

Abstract: This chapter provides an examination of the potential for US private defence firms to expand into the four BRIC nations: Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Specific attention is placed on the role of knowledge workers as a means to achieve this expansion. Furthermore, this chapter aims to identify which nation among these four presents the greatest potential for international expansion of the US private defence services industry with respect to projected economic opportunity in the defence sector as well as the operational risks and challenges of conducting business in these countries. Several key indicators of opportunity, risk, and challenge were identified, and each BRIC nations was analysed and ranked with respect to the other four on each of these defined measures. The resulting aggregate rankings conclude that India presents the greatest potential for successful globalisation of professional defence services, followed closely by China and Brazil, who have similar levels of potential but for significantly different reasons. Subsequently, Russia appears to have the least potential for international expansion in this industry according to the findings of this research.

Keywords: knowledge workers; defence contractors; BRIC; services.

DOI: 10.1504/IJQRS.2020.109703

International Journal of Qualitative Research in Services, 2020 Vol.4 No.1, pp.45 - 55

Received: 20 Jul 2019
Accepted: 21 Aug 2019
Published online: 21 Sep 2020 *

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