Stress, Uncertainty, and Decision-Making in National Security Systems: A Digital-Ecosystem Approach to Enhancing Public-Sector Performance

Decisions on national security are rarely made in stable environments. The reality is much more chaotic. It is shaped by severe time constraints, deep institutional dependencies and hybrid threats that constantly force adaptation. When operating under such pressure, individual judgment is only a factor. Recent research clearly shows that performance actually depends on how well organizational routines combine with improvisation practices, especially when directed through modern digital infrastructures. This study explores this dynamic by treating national security systems as sociotechnical digital ecosystems. Based on a narrative analysis of the literature published after 2020, we examine three main issues: the direct impact of stress and uncertainty on digitally mediated choices, the ways in which routines and learning support operational performance and the dual nature of digital ecosystems. These ecosystems facilitate distributed action but also create new governance challenges. Our analysis shows three recurring themes. First, there is a persistent tension between strict procedural coordination and the need for improvisation. Second, learning has transformed from an activity carried out after a crisis to an immediate necessity. Finally, digital infrastructures rapidly expand distributed decision-making. These systems are not just passive tools that support institutions. They actively reorganize authority, change lines of responsibility, and change the way interconnected actors manage stress. Finally, this paper proposes a practical and systemic framework for better development of public sector performance in the current threat landscape. It provides a solid theoretical basis for future work on adaptive resilience and governance.