Understanding the costing decisions behind terror attacks – an analytical study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the various theories related to low cost terrorist attacks and factors which act as the key determinants to the costing decision. This research is an endeavour to bring about the factors influencing costing decisions of low cost and high cost terror attacks. Design/methodology/approach – Methodology adopted is a descriptive one which conducts a content analysis on existing theories, based on materials derived from primary as well secondary source data. Findings – This paper argues that the terminology of “low cost terrorism” is ambiguous. This paper states that the nature of attack and the type of attack play an important part in determining the funding levels of terror operations. The decision to taper or increase the cost is more of a “choice” in larger groups but a matter of “compulsion” in smaller groups. Practical implications – In the process, it attempts to enlighten the counter terrorism community on the need to target the criminal fund raising mechanisms of homegrown groups which act as the main funding resource for low cost terror attacks. It also attempts to enlighten the concerned institutions, to increase physical security measures instead of attempting to sever the funding for this low cost terror attacks which is akin to looking for a needle in a haystack. Originality/value – The key findings of this research lies in its originality of presentation of facts in a systematic fashion.