Showing papers in "IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management in 1984"
TL;DR: The first phase of the Stanford Innovation Project, a long-term study of U.S. industrial innovation as mentioned in this paper, identified eight broad areas that appear to be important for new product success in a high-technology environment.
Abstract: This paper summarizes the first phase of the Stanford Innovation Project, a long-term study of U.S. industrial innovation. As part of this initial phase, begun in 1982, two surveys were conducted: 1) an open-ended survey of 158 new products in the electronics industry, followed by 2) a structured survey of 118 of the original products. Both surveys used a pairwise comparison methodology. Our research identified eight broad areas that appear to be important for new product success in a high-technology environment: 1) market knowledge gained through frequent and intense customer interaction, which leads to high benefit-to-cost products; 2) and 3) planning and coordination of the new product process, especially the RD 4) emphasis on marketing and sales; 5) management support for the product throughout the development and launch stages; 6) the contribution margin of the product; 7) early market entry; 8) proximity of the new product technologies and markets to the existing strengths of the developing unit. Based on these results, a preliminary model of the new product process is proposed in the concluding section. There is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than the creation of a new system. Niccolo Machiavelli.
669 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the use of patent counting, clustering, and citation analysis in the evaluation of corporate, industry-wide, and national technological activity has been proposed as a new approach to corporate technological performance assessment.
Abstract: This paper describes a new approach to corporate technological performance assessment, based on patent citation analysis. We define this technological performance assessment as “the use of patent counting, clustering, and citation analysis in the evaluation of corporate, industry-wide, and national technological activity.” After reviewing the state-of-the-art of patent citation analysis, we discuss five different ways of formatting large-scale patent data for performance assessment. These formats are: 1) patent lists, with citing and cited patents, 2) laboratory impact tables, 3) corporate technology profiles, 4) corporate linkage maps, and 5) patent citation network diagrams. The technological performance assessements to which these different formats may be applied include: 1) corporate activity measurement and competitor analysis, 2) anti-trust, 3) technological forecasting and long-range planning, 4) R&D productivity measurement, 5) company linkages and corporate technological integration, 6) strategic targeting, especially for merger and acquisition purposes, 7) international trade and technology flow analysis, and 8) market and license identification.
101 citations
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that complexity was acting as a suppressor variable, preventing the hypothesized relationships between formalization and adoption and between centralization and adoptions from appearing in the zero-order analysis.
Abstract: An attempt is made to explain an anomalous finding in an earlier survey by the authors (ibid, vol. EM-27, p.98-102, 1980) of the adoption of process innovations in the domestic footwear industry. Hypotheses that complexity would be positively related, and centralization and formalization negatively related, to the number of innovations adopted were confirmed by a correlation analysis but not by a zero-order correlation analysis. It is shown that complexity was acting as a suppressor variable, preventing the hypothesized relationships between formalization and adoption and between centralization and adoption from appearing in the zero-order analysis. Then the question is raised of why complexity has the power to override the effects of centralization and formalization. Case studies indicate several characteristics of decisions that reduce the hypothesized negative effects of high levels of centralization and formalization upon adoption. The case studies also suggest an interaction between firm structure and innovation characteristics: high levels of centralization and formalization reduce the adoption of revolutionary innovations but not of evolutionary innovations. This inference is tested and confirmed with data from the survey.
62 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the extent, growth nature, and effect of reverse technology transfer from overseas subsidiaries to their US parents was studied. But the results, based on data regarding 29 overseas laboratories (which account for about 10% of all overseas R&D spending by US-based firms), have implications for public policy and for the analysis of firms' productivity and profits.
Abstract: Although US firms perform about 10% of their R&D overseas, little is known about the transfer of technology from overseas subsidiaries to their US parents. A study was made of the extent, growth nature, and effect of such reverse technology transfer. The results, based on data regarding 29 overseas laboratories (which account for about 10% of all overseas R&D spending by US-based firms), have implications for public policy and for the analysis of firms' productivity and profits.
39 citations
TL;DR: In a study of nonacademic researchers in Israel, these relationships were used to identify persons proceeding along three possible career progressions: entering administration, remaining with research, and leaving the discipline as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Organizational planning for technical personnel in large R&D units is often based on assumptions concerning the impact of age on their research productivity as well as shifts into administrative positions In a study of nonacademic researchers in Israel, these relationships are used to identify persons proceeding along three possible career progressions: entering administration, remaining with research, and leaving the discipline Comparing those on each path, administrators and veteran researchers show similar academic backgrounds While mature researchers display a dual loyalty to organization and scientific community, the high productivity of these research stars can be said to have a strong influence on the success of a laboratory The authors support the necessity for effective `dual ladder' structures, with those on each career line identified early on the basis of their work goals and productivity and given proper encouragement
34 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the organizational politics model is used to explain the effectiveness of project managers in R&D better than does the rational actor model, and the implication for management development is discussed.
Abstract: Many R&D establishments are facing increasing pressure to reduce costs, leading to high competition among groups for scarce resources and for status. In many cases this is leading to reorganization of R&D laboratories designed to enhance the authority and effectiveness of project managers. These reorganizations are often guided by the paradigm of organizational reality termed the rational actor model. This model makes critical assumptions about relationships between authority, power, managerial effectiveness, and managerial skill. An alternative model of organizational reality also exists which makes contrasting assumptions about sources and means of influence and their relationship to project manager effectiveness. This model is termed the organizational politics model. Research from a variety of settings is used to suggest that the organizational politics model actually explains the effectiveness of project managers in R&D better than does the rational actor model. The implication for management development are discussed.
20 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an empirical study of 103 development projects and show that the interactions between control systems and the situations in which they are used have significant relationships with project success.
Abstract: Researchers and practitioners have been unable to identify general guidelines or develop a prescriptive model for the project manager to use when selecting a project control system. The research presented extends and integrates areas of past research on project control systems; it addresses the interactions between project control systems and the situations in which they are implemented. The results provide insight into the effectiveness of control systems which were not evident when the control system and situational conditions were treated separately. The research is based on an empirical study of 103 development projects. The results show that the interactions between control systems and the situations in which they are used have significant relationships with project success.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a model for describing the time pattern of the spread of innovations through a population is presented, where the potential adopter population is dynamic in nature and the possibility is considered of developing an analytical framework to study innovation diffusion processes where the population had polynomial dimensions-polynomial in the sense that it comprises members who are adopters, rejecters, disapprovers, and uncommitted.
Abstract: New models for describing the time pattern of the spread of innovations through a population are presented. In general, most existing temporal models of innovation diffusion are binomial in the sense that they tacitly assume that the population can be divided, without loss of generality, into adopters and potential adopters. This paper discusses the limitations of the binomial models and presents the development and applications of a model where the potential adopter population is dynamic in nature. The possibility is considered of developing an analytical framework to study innovation diffusion processes where the population had polynomial dimensions-polynomial in the sense that it comprises members who are adopters, rejecters, disapprovers, and uncommitted. Some stochastic models to complement the most commonly used deterministic binomial models were developed. A few case studies are included.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a study of the management control systems used in twelve new product development projects indicated that the systems used by successful new product projects were different than those used in less successful projects.
Abstract: Management control systems that are used to control new product projects and the characteristics of effective management control systems are identified. Results of a study of the management control systems used in twelve new product development projects indicate that the systems used in successful new product projects were different than those used in less successful projects. It was also found that on all projects individual rewards were not directly tied to project performance or to a product's commercial success. Implications of the findings for managers of development departments are discussed.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide prescriptions for sharpening project management skills in three critical areas: (1) conducting values analysis; (2) adopting an appropriate leadership style; and (3) avoiding or reducing demotivators.
Abstract: Based on observations of a unique government-industry-university research project, the authors provide prescriptions for sharpening project management skills in three critical areas: (1) conducting values analysis; (2) adopting an appropriate leadership style; and (3) avoiding or reducing demotivators. Attention to values analysis and goal setting at the outset of a project, utilizing an egalitarian participative leadership style which balances technical and interpersonal concerns, can reduce subsequent demotivation of project staff, and enhance project performance.
18 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a study of boundary-spanning activities (interaction with the outside-company environment) in 24 US West Coast electronics firms is reported, which is related to perceptions of the external environment's importance and controllability and to the boundary spanner's functional position.
Abstract: A study of boundary-spanning activities (interaction with the outside-company environment) in 24 US West Coast electronics firms is reported. Boundary-spanning activity was found to be related to perceptions of the external environment's importance and controllability and to the boundary spanner's functional position. No significant relationship was found between environmental unpredictability and overall boundary-spanning activity, although a moderate relationship was found with monitoring activity. The complexity of these relationships was illustrated by several variations within the general pattern of results, and by graphical profiles of boundary-spanning activities for a number of specific functions and positions.
TL;DR: In this paper, the conceptual basis of integrated management is explored from a systemic viewpoint, and both an organizational component and a program component that are distinct yet interrelated are explored from this perspective.
Abstract: Effective project management requires that all planning and management control activities be fully integrated. Planning must encompass operational, tactical, and strategic considerations; functionally oriented efforts must be properly blended into a unified whole; and project technical performance, cost, and schedule parameters must be integrated into a systemic composite. Viewed from this perspective, integrated management has both an organizational component and a program component that are distinct yet interrelated. The conceptual basis of these two components of integrated management are explored from a systemic viewpoint.
TL;DR: The individual and organizational factors related to creativity for R&D professionals are examined in this paper, which suggests that the creative individual may be more reflective with less need for external feedback than the innovator.
Abstract: The individual and organizational factors related to creativity for R&D professionals are examined. The results suggest that the creative R&D professional differs from past profiles of innovative individuals. The creative individual may be more reflective with less need for external feedback than the innovator. The role of creativity in future research is considered.
TL;DR: In this paper, the innovation, productivity, and job performance of professionals in a high-technology firm in the nuclear industry were operationally defined through a policy-capturing approach.
Abstract: The innovation, productivity, and job performance of professionals in a high-technology firm in the nuclear industry were operationally defined through a policy-capturing approach. Policies of 83 professionals and managers of professionals on the three dimensions were simulated by presenting each of the subjects with the work behaviors of 32 hypothetical professionals. Each of the 83 subjects decided on the innovation, productivity, and the job performance of each of the 32 profiles for a total of 7968 decisions. Analysis of the decisions indicated that innovation, productivity, and performance were each defined differently and that there were differences between the professionals' and the managers' policies. This research indicates that decision modeling offers a promising methodology to define the dimensions of professionals' work performance in a variety of research, development, and engineering contexts.
TL;DR: A selection battery of seven personality traits and educational level (R.T Keller and W.E. Holland, 1979) has shown validity in predicting performance in a sample of American applied research and development professional employees as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A selection battery of seven personality traits and educational level (R.T Keller and W.E. Holland, 1979) has shown validity in predicting performance in a sample of American applied research and development professional employees. The present study examines the selection battery for validity in a sample of 51 Mexican applied research and development professional employees, and similar results are found. These results suggest that subcultural similarities of research and development goals, norms, tasks, and education may be more important than national cultural differences.
TL;DR: The relationship between strategic management and technological developmnt in U.S. industrial organizations is reviewed in this article, with a focus on life cycle approaches and a growing body of empirical evidence which lends support to the argument that more successful firms use technology appropriate to different stages in the product life cycle.
Abstract: The English language literature concerning the relationship between strategic management and technological developmnt in U.S. industrial organizations is reviewed. Although still largely normative, there is consistent focus on life cycle approaches and a growing body of empirical evidence which lends support to the argument that more successful firms use technology appropriate to different stages in the product life cycle.
TL;DR: In this paper, four forces acting to transform research into something primarily concerned with specific material objectives, or missions, are discussed, and several research propositions that merit empirical investigation are discussed.
Abstract: There seem to be four forces acting to transform research into something primarily concerned with specific material objectives, or missions. One of the ways by which the transformation of scientific research will be manifested is in the behavior of the professionals. Specifically, such technical organizations as industrial R&D firms, hospitals, and think tanks will develop norms and behaviors consistent with the traditional organizational demands, and less with the traditional professional ethos. The discussion concludes by describing several research propositions that merit empirical investigation.
TL;DR: In this article, the occupational interest patterns of technical specialists and R&D managers are compared and the hypothesis was that R&DM managers would be similar to technical specialists in the scientific/engineering domain, but exhibit comparatively higher levels in the managerial/organizational interest domain.
Abstract: The occupational interest patterns of technical specialists and R&D managers are compared. The hypothesis was that R&D managers would be similar to technical specialists in the scientific/engineering domain, but exhibit comparatively higher levels in the managerial/organizational interest domain. The findings supported the hypothesis and indicated R&D managers reflect a psychological functioning which simultaneously incorporates the conflict between managerial and scientific motives. This was discussed in terms of increasing the effective utilization of technical personnel, and also in terms of specialized career development applications.
TL;DR: In this article, the formation of temporary task teams necessary to solve complex technical problems is analyzed using a questionnaire and the questionnaire data were analyzed utilizing the chi-square approximation static, which indicated that the task team which develops team spirit early in its lifetime is more likely to produce a high-quality result.
Abstract: The formation of temporary task teams necessary to solve complex technical problems is analyzed using a questionnaire. Responses were acquired from 125 high-technology individuals who had participated in temporary task teams. The questionnaire data were analyzed utilizing the chi-square approximation static. Results indicate that the task team which develops team spirit early in its lifetime is more likely to produce a high-quality result. There is a strong indication that the leaders' instructions play a significant role in developing this team spirit.
TL;DR: In this article, it is shown that while such investments may be very risky when viewed from the perspective of a project manager, they are less so when viewed as a top management (or the firm).
Abstract: It is shown that the prevalent view that investment in technological innovation is particularly risky is incomplete. Specifically, while such investments may be very risky when viewed from the perspective of a project manager, they are less so when viewed from the perspective of top management (or the firm), and they are no more risky than average when viewed from the perspective of investors.
TL;DR: In this article, a rational model for making engineering tradeoff decisions is presented, which is a hybrid from the fields of social welfare economics, communications, and operations research, and a solution methodology (vector optimization decision convergence algorithm or VODCA) is developed conceptually and mathematically.
Abstract: A rational model for making engineering tradeoff decisions is presented. The model is a hybrid from the fields of social welfare economics, communications, and operations research. A solution methodology (vector optimization decision convergence algorithm or VODCA) based on the economic model is developed conceptually and mathematically. The objective for developing VODCA was to improve the process for extracting relative value information about the objectives from the appropriate decision makers. This objective was accomplished by employing data filtering to increase the consistency of the relative value information and decrease the amount of information required. VODCA is applied to a simplified hypothetical tradeoff decision problem. Possible uses of multiple objective analysis concepts and the VODCA methodology in product-line development and market research are discussed.
TL;DR: The tax environment for US R&D planners brought about by the provisions of the 1981 Economic Recovery Tax Act is examined in this article, where some of the rudiments of tax law bearing on research and development are discussed.
Abstract: The new tax environment, for US R&D planners brought about by the provisions of the 1981 Economic Recovery Tax Act is examined. Some of the rudiments of tax law bearing on R&D are discussed. It is shown through examples how effective utilization of tax advantages can help corporate performance. Among tax advantages discussed are tax credits for increases in corporate R&D, and R&D limited partnerships.
TL;DR: In this paper, the impact of hiring additional scientists and technicians during the initial period of their affiliation with the research unit is considered, and it is shown that on the average, increases in technicians have a greater initial impact on research unit productivity than do increases in scientists.
Abstract: The impact on productivity of hiring additional scientists and technicians during the initial period of their affiliation with the research unit is considered. Results from a field study show that on the average, increases in technicians have a greater initial impact on research unit productivity than do increases in scientists. These effects however, are moderated by the nature of the research task. The more applied the research task, the smaller the initial impact of increases in technicians on research unit productivity, but the greater the initial impact of increases in scientists. These findings suggest a contingency approach to the staffing or project groups in research organizations.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a framework for defining a firm's strategic posture toward innovation, which is a key factor that affects the quickness and appropriateness of the response function.
Abstract: In a dynamic and unpredictable environment, a firm may increase its chances of survival by improving its ability to respond quickly to changes in the environment. The firm's strategic posture toward innovation is a key factor that affects the quickness and appropriateness of the response function. Integrating Thompson's definition of innovation and the concept of cost-benefit-risk profiles, a framework for defining a firm's strategic posture toward innovation is suggested.
TL;DR: In this paper, the role and mission of an electronic fabrication support unit among project users and other relevant management personnel of a major national laboratory were studied, where the inability to be cost-efficient for prototype development and low-cost volume-fabrication projects had resulted in criticism, dissatisfaction, and a poor image of the supporting unit in this organization.
Abstract: The role and mission of an electronic fabrication support unit among project users and other relevant management personnel of a major national laboratory were studied. The inability to be cost-efficient for prototype development and low-cost volume-fabrication projects had resulted in criticism, dissatisfaction, and a poor image of the supporting unit in this organization. Given the difficulty in controlling allocated costs, the supporting unit may improve its image by differentiating the demands through separate organizations, cost policies, and integration mechanisms.
TL;DR: The research presented addresses the interactions between project control systems and the situations in which they are implemented and provides insight into the effectiveness of control systems which were not evident when the control system and situational conditions were treated separately.
Abstract: References were omitted from the author's study (see ibid., vol.EM-31, no.3, p.127-137, 1984). The references are listed in this correction notice.
TL;DR: Burns and Stalker as mentioned in this paper found that scientists perceive themselves at higher levels of role performance in research laboratories managed through the so-called organic system identified by T. Burns and G.M. Stalker.
Abstract: It is shown through an empirical study that scientists perceive themselves at higher levels of role performance in research laboratories managed through the so-called organic system identified by T. Burns and G.M. Stalker, 1966. It is the hypothesis of the author that the more organic the system of management, the higher the perceived role performance of the individual scientist. The study involved a survey of five research institutes populated by scientists who held faculty rank in a state university and who for the most part were performing basic and applied research in the physical sciences. The findings of this study replicate the empirical results of previous studies which have shown that scientists tend to perceive themselves at high levels of role performance in laboratory settings managed through the organic system. The evidence indicates that perceived and actual role performance in the research laboratory will be improved if the individual scientist is encouraged and permitted to participate actively and regularly in the setting of objectives and the making of decisions that affect his research projects.
TL;DR: A procedure for evaluating and selecting R&D proposals has been developed and applied by the Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund, a joint United States-Israel venture,.
Abstract: A procedure for evaluating and selecting R&D proposals has been developed and applied by the Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund, a joint United States-Israel venture. Some of the techniques employed may be useful to other competitive grant agencies, especially the employment of a card system for having the information on numerous R&D proposals visually displayed while selection by the committee is actually in progress.