Soft norm governance with value-based work

The purpose of this project is to map out and highlight different strategies of soft norm governance that strengthen military professional ethics in line with the organisation’s goals. This is achieved by drawing on experience from, and spread knowledge about, how the Swedish Armed Forces work with these issues.

One of the consequences of war is that in some cases violations against civilians and combatants may occur that are severe, it can even be about murder, rape, or torture. A challenge for the armed forces in potential future conflicts is therefore to fight with intact morality against an adversary that does not comply with international humanitarian law, or possibly not even respect human rights. One of the tasks of the Swedish Armed Forces is to defend our freedom to live as we choose, based on values rooted in the democratic system of government, and as expressed in the fundamental law as well as in the state’s values-based work. They express values such as for example equality before the law, freedom of expression, the principle of public access to information, and gender equality, to mention a few. These values must both be defended and upheld—ultimately in situations of armed conflict and under extremely difficult conditions. It is therefore essential to provide education for military personnel in command, to support development of a professional ethical approach and strengthen moral decision-making capability. This is a vital leadership capability when addressing future conflicts.

Three case studies on metagovernance

This project therefore focuses on the concept of soft norm governance, a subtle form of governance that forms part of the modern state’s implementation steering. It operates more indirectly and at a greater distance than traditional “top-down” governance through rules and regulations. The goal with soft norm governance is to in various ways fill the professional ethics with content, such as norms and values that personnel have about how professional work should be carried out. There are many different strategies of soft norm governance that influence personnel values in line with organisational goals, of which military decorations and values-based work are two examples. This research is based on ideas of metagovernance, and more specifically in governance through organisational steering. The theoretical foundation of the research draws on neo-institutional theory, which examines how institutions are formed within bureaucracies and how different logics of action within these institutions influence how policy is interpreted and implemented. An important conclusion from research on soft norm governance is that professional ethics serve a function within implementation steering. Soft norm governance thus also means that a moral logic of action is embedded within state institutions. Conversely, this can be applied more strategically and deliberately with increased knowledge of its functionality. (See further in Robertsson, 2020.)

The objective of the project is to facilitate organisational learning through three new case studies that describe different existing strategies of soft norm governance within the Swedish Armed Forces, with values-based work constituting one of these three strategies. Within the framework of the project, three knowledge-transfer information sessions will also be held, one for each case study. The project will be summarised in a published book on soft norm governance and values-based work, which for example can be used in courses and further education for senior military and civilian leaders within the Swedish Armed Forces and the total defence system.