Örgütsel Alan ve Bağlantılı Ekolojiler: Yöneylem Araştırması'nın Türkiye'ye Girişi, NATO-AGARD ve Genelkurmay Başkanlığının Etkisi

This study analyzes the institutionalization process of Operational Research (OR) in Türkiye through the lens of its key organizations and actors. Initially established in 1956 as a research unit under the Turkish General Staff R&D department, driven by the NATO-AGARD influence,  later formed the Yöneylem Araştırması Ünitesi (OR Unit) at METU on behalf of TÜBİTAK in 1965, marking its entry into universities. The study specifically examines the direct link between the Ministry of National Defense (MSB)- Turkish General Staff and the TÜBİTAK-METU OR Unit via critical actors. The theoretical approach proposes a hybrid use of Organizational Field Theory and Linked Ecologies. The Organizational Field approach is employed to conceptualize the strong institutional push from NATO-AGARD, highlighting theisomorphism that encouraged the establishment of similar military OR units in member countries. The Linked Ecologies framework views OR as a hinge operating across two distinct ecologies -state and university- and explains the two-stage institutionalization process, encompassing bureaucratic authorization (Turkish General Staff) and subsequent academic authorization (TÜBİTAK-METU and SİBAREN). In this research I argue that similar to other major organizational reforms (such as the establishment of the State Planning Organization and TÜBİTAK), the ability of technical innovations to gain institutional legitimacy in Turkey stems from the initiating role of powerful bureaucratic focal points. These powerful focal centers takes the initiatives, often through implicit or informal coalitions. Although informal these coalitions, I argue that the initation process and institutional legitimacy handed by these focal centers ultimately determine the long-term "success" of these reforms.