Showing papers in "R & D Management in 1972"
TL;DR: Innovative performance of groups of scientists was related to performance of ‘colleague roles', utilizing a model of organizational decision making proposed by Farris (1971).
Abstract: Innovative performance of groups of scientists was related to performance of ‘colleague roles', utilizing a model of organizational decision making proposed by Farris (1971). In more innovative groups, supervisors were named less often by group members as useful for original ideas, but more often for providing critical evaluation. Members of more innovative groups named one another more often as useful for providing technical information and help in thinking about technical problems. Organizational information was available from fewer sources inside or outside the more innovative groups. Supervisors of more innovative groups named more outside sources as useful to them for original ideas. These trends are very consistent with Maier's (1967) emphasis on the leader's ‘integrative function’ in group problem solving.
78 citations
45 citations
TL;DR: Results showed that for the project studied: the needs of the project dominated the communication; previous external findings on “technological gatekeepers” and “distance stopping communication” did not apply in the project study; and a suit able methodology has been developed.
Abstract: A pilot study has been carried out on one project: (a) to develop a suitable methodology for studying communication; (b) to see whether the findings of external studies apply to the laboratory; (c) to examine a part of the communication pattern of the laboratory. Results showed that for the project studied: (a) the needs of the project dominated the communication; (b) previous external findings on “technological gatekeepers” and “distance stopping communication” did not apply in the project studied; (c) a suit able methodology has been developed.
25 citations
TL;DR: This paper explored the relevance of recent developments in organizational role theory for clarification and understanding of the project manager's job and found that much of the stress and conflict in the project managers' job can be attributed to the boundary nature of that position.
Abstract: Much of the stress and conflict in the project manager's job can be attributed to the boundary nature of that position. This study explores the relevance of recent developments in organizational role theory for clarification and understanding of the project manager's job. Findings are reported from a study which show that traditional management thought is inadequate for understanding the factors which regulate the project manager's behavior. One must recognize the boundary relevance of the project manager's role in order to avoid organizational or administrative arrangements that would be undesirable for project management. Several implications, which logically follow from the theory and findings on boundary role behavior, are noted for their relevance for R & D management.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, it is shown that establishing local laboratories in distant overseas markets dramatically increases the flow of technical information, and that the communication of commercially exploitable technical information from laboratories based at the Headquarters of a large industrial organization to customers located throughout the world is shown to fall off rapidly with distance.
Abstract: Communication of commercially exploitable technical information from laboratories based at the Headquarters of a large industrial organization to customers located throughout the world is shown to fall off rapidly with distance. Methods to overcome the barriers associated with distance are described. It is shown that establishing local laboratories in distant overseas markets dramatically increases the flow of technical information.
19 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that the most commonly quoted formulae do not adequately represent the practical situation and are likely to introduce bias into the system as well as tending to make estimating more difficult.
Abstract: . Numerous ranking formulae have been proposed in the literature for use in the evaluation and selection of R& D projects, but their rate of adoption has been relatively slow. This situation appears to be changing in the U.K. and a considerable amount of effort is being expended to improve the methods of obtaining estimates for the variables which appear in the formulae. This paper argues that the most commonly quoted formulae do not adequately represent the practical situation and are likely to introduce bias into the system as well as tending to make estimating more difficult. A modified ranking index derived from a decision tree type of analysis is suggested as a more useful estimate of the worth of a project, but it is concluded that any such formulae will always have serious limitations because they must inevitably ignore important characteristics of the research process.
18 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of the university as an incubator organization and the special problems of academic entrepreneurs and their firms is discussed and guidelines are given to improve the academic entrepreneur's corporate performance and suggestions are offered to enable the university to facilitate the entrepreneurship process.
Abstract: In recent years, the small technology-based enterprise ('spin-off') has had a significant impact on regional economic development. As a source of new technology and entrepreneurs, the university has made an important contribution to the formation of new enterprises.
This article focuses on the role of the university as an incubator organization and the special problems of academic entrepreneurs and their firms. Guidelines are given to improve the academic entrepreneur's corporate performance and suggestions are offered to enable the university to facilitate the entrepreneurship process. The article concludes with a brief discussion of the future prospects for academic entrepreneurship.
13 citations
TL;DR: Applications of the PACS to aid R & D decision-making at Monsanto indicate that it significantly aids the development of satisfactory organizational decisions and also provides a laboratory for pretesting decisions.
Abstract: This paper describes a planning and control system (PACS) to aid R & D decision-making which has been developed and used at the Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. The planning model portion of the integrated system is a two-dimensional dynamic programming resource allocation algorithm which performs project selection, budgeting and scheduling. Behavioral parameters that can be used to simulate certain organizational factors are included in the planning model. The control model portion of the integrated system develops cost-effectiveness measures of variances between actual and planned performances for ongoing projects over time, which provide early warnings of pending project failures and guide control action. Applications of the system at Monsanto indicate that it significantly aids the development of satisfactory organizational decisions and also provides a laboratory for pretesting decisions.
10 citations
TL;DR: The method proposed here is more sound: it uses a concept termed the Survival Probability Function, which is simply the probability that a Project will still exist at various times in the future, which can be derived from estimates for the survival factors and durations of project stages.
Abstract: . Any realistic assessment of research projects must allow for possible failures. Scaling down the Potential gain from each project by its probability of achievement ignores the expenditure on unsuccessful projects and is therefore misleading. The method proposed here is more sound: it uses a concept termed the Survival Probability Function, which is simply the probability that a Project will still exist at various times in the future. This function can be derived from estimates for the survival factors and durations of project stages. The function can then be used to calculate the statistics of project successes and failures, and can be employed in a standard Risk Analysis. More simply, if can be used as a weighting function for cash flow patterns. This leads to a comparison method for projects with different risks and different potential returns, and thus to project portfolio selection.
5 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that time is inherently underestimated because estimators are influenced by a time-horizon which has no objective existence, and that bias will increase with the complexity, unfamiliarity and uncertainty of the task.
Abstract: The thesis of this note is that time is inherently underestimated because estimators are influenced by a time-horizon which has no objective existence. The bias will increase with the complexity, unfamiliarity and uncertainty of the task. Implications of this are indicated, and its bearing on a study recently published in this journal is briefly touched upon. An independent test would probably require the methods of individual or social psychological research. The possibility of improving time-estimation would exist if the time-horizon to which individuals are subject could be ascertained.
4 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors studied the accuracy of cost and duration estimates for stages of projects (as opposed to whole projects), and about the reasons for upward revisions of duration estimates.
Abstract: Some of the main results of a study of the accuracy of cost and duration estimates in this laboratory have already been published. This short article adds some further information about the accuracy of duration estimates for stages of projects (as opposed to whole projects), and about the reasons for upward revisions of duration estimates.
TL;DR: The present results suggest that the rate of learning is often slow and may not be facilitated by the use of many parallel approaches in only early project stages, and major uncertainties are not reduced until the product is evaluated in the operational environment.
Abstract: This paper summarizes results from a study of strategy choices and outcomes in one government laboratory over a fifteen-year time period. Several considerations associated with the effectiveness of a parallel strategy are presented and discussed. These include different types of uncertainty encountered in a given problem and their effect on the rate of learning. Contrary to observations in other studies, the present results suggest that the rate of learning is often slow and may not be facilitated by the use of many parallel approaches in only early project stages. In many instances major uncertainties are not reduced until the product is evaluated in the operational environment.
TL;DR: In this paper, a study of the accuracy of cost and duration estimates for British defence R&D projects is based on an analysis of the records of 29 Army projects, initiated since 1960.
Abstract: This study of the accuracy of cost and duration estimates for British defence R & D projects is based on an analysis of the records of 29 Army projects, initiated since 1960. The results are generally similar to American defence studies with which they are compared. The reasons for schedule slippages and cost escalations are examined and it is suggested that performance could be improved by more thorough project feasibility and definition studies and by a stronger project management organization.
TL;DR: The use of Research Planning Diagrams as an aid for project planning and evaluation and a computerized simulation technique for the analysis of the probabilities associated with a diagram are described.
Abstract: . The use of Research Planning Diagrams as an aid for project planning and evaluation is described. A computerized simulation technique for the analysis of the probabilities associated with a diagram is illustrated by means of a worked example.
TL;DR: In this article, a linear programming problem with bivalent variables is considered, where the objective is to maximize the profits as the envisaged results of research investigations may practically achieve throughout their application.
Abstract: . The criterion according to which the plans of a research organization can be optimized with respect to modelling R & D management consists in maximizing such profits as the envisaged results of research investigations may practically achieve throughout their application. The constraints are the available time and financial resources of the research organization, any investment outlays to be made by the beneficiaries and the time and money expenditures required for the solution of each individual theme competing for inclusion in the investigation plan. Mathematically it is a linear programming problem with bivalent variables. Because of the reduced size of the system a dynamic programming approach is also possible.
TL;DR: DEVEX as discussed by the authors is an off-the-job learning exercise aimed at middle to senior industrial R&D managers with the broad general goal of improving their grasp of the relationship between business/market strategy and R & D strategy.
Abstract: . This is a description of the development of a comprehensive training exercise for R & D managers entitled DEVEX. It is an accelerated ‘off-the-job’ learning exercise aimed at middle to senior industrial R& D managers and with the broad general goal of improving their grasp of the relationship between business/market strategy and R & D strategy.
TL;DR: A preliminary assessment of the implications of the Rothschild report on the future of the Research Councils is given in this article, where it is shown that while Rothschild's "customer-contractor principle" is likely to present new and serious difficulties for government departments, it may also lead to an important strengthening in their capabilities.
Abstract: Debate on the Rothschild report having become concentrated on the future of the Research Councils, there has been relatively little analysis of the wider implications of the core issue of the report, ‘accountability’ versus ‘independence’, This article offers a preliminary assessment of these two concepts, and especially of ‘accountability’. It is shown that while Rothschild's ‘customer-contractor principle’ is likely to present new and serious difficulties for government departments, it may also lead to an important strengthening in their capabilities. The essay seeks overall to initiate a full discussion of the procedures associated with the principle and underlines the need for further detailed consideration of the accountability-independence balance.
TL;DR: The most crucial criterion for a venture capitalist is the calibre of the people who are to manage the risk funds, and the motivation of the entrepreneur or team wishing to establish the new enterprise as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: This paper looks at the area of venture management from the viewpoint of a company which is interested in providing financial support for new areas of activity. It discusses the problems associated with entering new markets and argues that many investments have not been the success that was hoped for because insufficient profit margin was obtainable or built in at the outset. However, by far the most crucial criterion for a venture capitalist is the calibre of the people who are to manage the risk funds, and the motivation of the entrepreneur or team wishing to establish the new enterprise.