New Books in Science, Technology, and Society Matthew A. Tattar, "Innovation and Adaptation in War" (MIT Press, 2025)
Dec 15, 2025
Matthew A. Tattar, an Associate Professor at the U.S. Naval War College and author of *Innovation and Adaptation in War*, discusses the crucial relationship between military innovation and organizational flexibility. He argues that innovations yield only temporary advantages, often overshadowed by an opponent’s ability to adapt. Tattar analyzes historical case studies, such as the U.S. Navy’s response to Japanese tactics and the Royal Navy’s mishaps with U-boats, revealing that adaptability often trumps being the first to innovate in wartime.
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Innovation Advantage Is Ephemeral
- Innovations produce short-lived battlefield advantages because opponents quickly imitate or counter them.
- Matthew A. Tattar argues organizational flexibility often matters more than being first to innovate.
Prioritize Organizational Flexibility
- Prioritize organizational flexibility so your force can absorb and counter opponents' innovations.
- Build structures that let you reallocate resources and modify practices rapidly under combat stress.
Exploit Organizational Blind Spots
- Innovations that cross organizational boundaries in the enemy create disproportionate effects.
- Targeting niches where no single subunit owns the response magnifies initial advantage.
