Abstract:
Although the Eritrean-Ethiopian war (1998-2000) has been analysed by a large number of
researchers, the impact of organisational culture on the war has been neglected. This thesis
employs the constructivist theories of Elizabeth Kier in order to examine the impact of
organisational culture on Ethiopian decision-making before and during the war and uses the
findings to produce policy advice for this and other conflicts.
The thesis' main contribution to the study of the specific Eritrean-Ethiopian war is the
revelation that organisational culture in a variety of organisations had serious effects on the
bilateral relationship between Eritrea and Ethiopia, effects that can not be explained by
ethnically, economically or geographically defined factors. The thesis' main contribution to
the field of peace research is a strong warning: calling for caution when policy makers want to
apply some of the more generally prescribed policy guidelines within the field, and
controversially suggesting that some of the most common advice, as for example the advice to
support the oppositional press in order to promote peace, might, if not planned properly, lead
to more conflict rather than promote peace.
