Showing papers in "R & D Management in 1982"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors carried out an empirical test of the extent to which the rate of communica- tion between a project group and the outside world decreases with mean project tenure and how far performance decreases with project tenure.
Abstract: The Not-Invented-Here (NIH) syn- drome is defined as the tendency of a project group of stable composition to believe it pos- sess~~ a monopoly of knowledge of its field, which leads it to reject new ideas from outsiders to the likely detriment of its performance. The authors have carried out an empirical test of the extent to which the rate of communica- tion between a project group and the outside world decreases with mean project tenure and how far performance decreases with project tenure. The study, carried out in a large laboratory, shows that performance increases up to 1.5 years tenure, stays steady for a time but by five years has declined noticeably. This tendency is best accounted for by the marked decline in communication rate among group members and between them and critical external sources of information. The authors analyse the significance of this finding and suggest means of maintaining the vitality of long-standing project teams.
1,472 citations
189 citations
TL;DR: The current state of the art of technology forecasting (TF) is critically reviewed in this article, where a brief history and a summary of TF's basic principles are provided, including technological escalation, technological succession, societal impact and methods of quantification.
Abstract: The current state of the art of technology forecasting (TF) is critically reviewed A statement of the aims of TF, which distinguish it from futurology, a brief history and a summary of the basic principles are provided The last includes the technological escalation, technological succession, societal impact and methods of quantification TF techniques are divided into two pairs of classes: extrapolative versus normative and single-variable versus multivariable Each is critically evaluated in terms of its potential applicability and reliability Substitution analysis, Delphi techniques, cross impact analysis and morphological analysis are treated in some detail
It is concluded that some form of TF is essential to the success of strategic planning and its use will undoubtedly increase in the future
76 citations
73 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the view that one of the reasons for the poor performance of British companies in certain engineering industries may be the relatively low technical sophistication of its domestic customers.
Abstract: The purpose of the study reported in this paper is to examine the view that one of the reasons for the poor performance of British companies in certain engineering industries may be the relatively low technical sophistication of its domestic customers. Data for the study were collected predominantly by mail questionnaire from customer organisations in Great Britain and West Germany. The results of the study suggest that British customers are significantly less receptive to new technology than their West German counterparts, and less demanding of new technology from their suppliers. Given the importance of the domestic customer to new product development activity this appears to be a major problem for British suppliers, and suggests an alternative approach to public policy designed to improve the innovative performance of British Industry in these sectors.
64 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a study of eighty-eight small and medium sized electronics firms in the UK was undertaken in an attempt to investigate the impact of technical characteristics on their export involvement.
Abstract: A study of eighty-eight small and medium sized electronics firms in the UK was undertaken in an attempt to investigate the impact of technical characteristics on their export involvement. The results show that high exporting firms in the sample were distinguished from the low exporters by certain key technical characteristics. Among these, the presence of in-house R&D capability emerged as the strongest feature. But the results also show that high exporting is associated with more than strong technical capability, and in particular a positive orientation towards export market, especially during the project selection and R&D stages, needs to be present.
55 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, it is shown that the marketing of a short product life cycle requires a high level of marketing, managerial ability and sophistication as well as an investment of a large amount of resources.
Abstract: Many high-technology products are characterized by a “short” product life cycle (PLC)—a short life on the market, a steep decline stage and the lack of a maturity stage. The paper discusses the implications for marketing activities of this pattern in the case of small high-technology companies. It is shown that the marketing of a short PLC product requires a high level of marketing, managerial ability and sophistication as well as an investment of a large amount of resources. It is pointed out that small high-technology firms are faced with a particularly difficult situation in this case because they lack appropriate resources and marketing sophistication. An understanding of the short PLC problem will help the small companies to conduct a more realistic assessment of the magnitude of the marketing task they face in order to adequately prepare themselves or avoid a commitment to projects which are beyond their abilities.
44 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a number of hypotheses are stated relating company technical sector success in the generation of new products to factors at the R&D/ production interface, and statistical differences and correlations between these factors are used to evaluate the hypotheses.
Abstract: A number of hypotheses are stated relating company technical sector success in the generation of new products to factors at the R & D/ Production Interface. Statistical differences and correlations between these factors are used to evaluate the hypotheses.
The results suggest a strong link between productivity and expenditure per head in the R & D function, the unique fitness of the German Ing. Grad. engineer for the role of Project Manager and the importance to U. K. industry of project integration, flexibility of operation, absence of status consciousness and clarity of problem definition.
15 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, product development strategies in 20 major Swedish food processing companies are described and evaluated both from a company and a consumer point of view, and three types of company outcomes are focused on, technological, market and commercial success.
Abstract: Product development strategies in 20 major Swedish food processing companies are described and evaluated both from a company and a consumer point of view. Three types of company outcomes are focused on, technological, market and commercial success. Company variables related to success are size, ownership and research intensity. Strategic variables analyzed in relation to success are technology use, R and D cooperation and marketing. Consumer outcome is studied in terms of price differences, convenience, taste, nutritional benefit and medical value. As in previous studies carried out in the same research programme in more research and technology intensive industries, cooperating with the outside research environment and combining technologies is shown to be clearly associated with success in finding and developing new products. With regard to consumer outcome, convenience and taste differences are the most common attributes of new food products, differentiating them from existing products.
13 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assess the effectiveness of existing Norwegian mechanisms for supporting Industrial research in institutes and firms, focussing in particular on the mechanical engineering and electronics sectors, using a range of evaluation techniques.
Abstract: This paper summarises the results of a recent study carried out by the Science Policy Research Unit for the Norwegian Royal Commission on Industrial Research (the ‘Industriforskningsutvalget’). We assess in broad terms the effectiveness of existing Norwegian mechanisms for supporting Industrial research in institutes and firms, focussing in particular on the mechanical engineering and electronics sectors. A range of evaluation techniques are utilised in examining (a) research institute performance, (b) the research institute/industry interface, and (c) the general mode of operation of the funding system. It is suggested that the methodology adopted in the study may be of more general value in evaluating national systems for funding R & D.
10 citations
TL;DR: A constrained optimization model was used, applying a multiattribute utility approach to the problem of selecting interrelated R & D projects in a small university R& D laboratory under constrained resources.
Abstract: The case study presented in this paper deals with the problem of selecting interrelated R & D projects in a small university R & D laboratory under constrained resources. A constrained optimization model was used, applying a multiattribute utility approach.
TL;DR: This paper considers an approach for improving the performance of an R & D group by increasing its information acquisition and processing capabilities and reports findings from a field study undertaken to examine this approach.
Abstract: R & D groups are knowledge-intensive organizations. As such, their principal assets are the men and women with scientific and technical training who constitute these groups. The raw materials that they work on and the products that they produce are ideas or information. The patents, papers, and hardware which emanate from these groups represent the physical manifestations of these ideas. One important concern for increasing productivity in R & D laboratories, therefore, is the facilitation of information flow into, within, and out of research group (Fischer, 1980). This paper considers an approach for improving the performance of an R & D group by increasing its information acquisition and processing capabilities and reports findings from a field study undertaken to examine this approach.
TL;DR: The hierarchy of needs and concept of basic motivation proposed by Maslow have been widely accepted for the understanding they provide of management as discussed by the authors, and a concept of decision style based on Jungian personality types has also been found useful in explaining some aspects of management.
Abstract: The hierarchy of needs and concept of basic motivation proposed by Maslow have been widely accepted for the understanding they provide of management. Recently, a concept of decision style based on Jungian personality types has also been found useful in explaining some aspects of management. In this paper the two concepts are taken together to provide a better understanding of the individual scientist and therefore of research management. This concept of the ‘whole person’ is used to explain a number of issues. Objective evaluation of proposal benefits is more likely to be advocated by the thinking personality type, and more likely to be accepted by scientists who have fewer security needs. Objective selection procedures appeal to thinking personality types, and the subjective approach is preferred by feeling types. The advantages of both approaches are appreciated by the more creative scientists and administrators. Early adopters of innovation appear to have many of the characteristics of Maslow's self-actualising individuals. The matrix organisational structure is seen to require a degree of self-actualising behaviour in its participants before it will succeed.
TL;DR: A large proportion of the technical, commercial and staff management decisions are devolved within Harwell's matrix organisation where teams of staff required for particular items of R & D are formed by arrangements agreed locally between the two axes of the matrix.
Abstract: Harwell's primary role. is to serve as the main research laboratory supporting the U. K. nuclear power development programme; in addition it undertakes research and development outside of the nuclear field for Government and industrial customers. Overall, there is the need to manage a very large number of separate and often disparate items of work and to ensure effective communication with senior managers of the nuclear power programme and with commercial customers on allocation of resources and technical progress. This is done through a version of “matrix management”. A large proportion of the technical, commercial and staff management decisions are devolved within Harwell's matrix organisation where teams of staff required for particular items of R & D are formed by arrangements agreed locally between the two axes of the matrix. The smaller groupings of staff created in the matrix are important in providing environments where good staff management practices can be established and where a team spirit aids motivation and technical initiative.
TL;DR: A methodological approach involving convolution of the technological risk into a conventional economical project analysis has been developed and is evaluated and the aspect of trimming the analysis procedure into an efficient routine is discussed.
Abstract: Project selection is a process fraught with uncertainties. Technological uncertainty is one of the major contributors to the total risk and its reduction has been a subject of many attempts to provide the decision maker with better decision material.
In the following paper, we summarise three cases representing different technological contents of technology transfer projects. The possible technological changes and the sensitivity of project profitability to them is presented and analysed.
A methodological approach involving convolution of the technological risk into a conventional economical project analysis has been developed and is evaluated in this paper. In particular, the aspect of trimming the analysis procedure into an efficient routine is discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify common factors which can be identified as having Important bearings on the level of innovation, such as the nature of technology being developed, the mandates of the research organization and the technical and commercial competence of the recipient.
Abstract: Successful innovation is a complex process. It involves a multitude of factors usually coming together over relatively long periods of time. Neither governments nor industry can realistically aspire to manage all aspects of it. Although each case of technology development and its subsequent exploitation has its own unique set of variables, shaped by the nature of technology being developed, the mandates of the research organization and the technical and commercial competence of the recipient, there are common factors which can be identified as having Important bearings on the level of innovation.
TL;DR: The Catastrophe Theory of Thorn is used in this paper to describe factors influencing success or failure in new product development and design in manufacturing industry and to indicate the position of de Bono's Lateral Thinking in the field of creativity.
Abstract: The literature of creativity consists mainly of prescriptive techniques and catalogues thereof. No unifying framework or vocabulary has emerged to enable comparisons to be made. It is suggested that the Catastrophe Theory of Thorn, though controversial, can contribute to this end.
A version of the theory is used in an attempt to describe factors influencing success or failure in new product development and design in manufacturing industry and to indicate the position of de Bono's Lateral Thinking’ in the field of creativity.
TL;DR: In this paper, two innovative projects carried out within the same organisation, but with markedly differing results, are examined in relation to the concept of uncertainty, and it is suggested that many of the points upon which the projects are differentiated can be attributed to the degree of uncertainty to which they were subject.
Abstract: This paper outlines two innovative projects carried out within the same organisation, but with markedly differing results. One has been satisfactorily completed while the other, although having run for much longer, is still experiencing technical problems. The two projects, British Rail's Advanced Passenger Train, and High Speed Train, are examined in relation to the concept of uncertainty. It is suggested that many of the points upon which the projects are differentiated can be attributed to the degree of uncertainty to which they were subject. It is concluded that one means of handling the uncertainty associated with development programmes is to adopt a flexible approach. It is noted, however, that flexibility may not be simply a question of personnel or organisational disposition, but can be influenced by the characteristics of particular projects.
TL;DR: The application of RPD decision analysis to R & D tactics is discussed and the role of the technique as an aid to self-consistent decision making is enaphasized.
Abstract: The application of RPD decision analysis to R & D tactics is discussed and the role of the technique as an aid to self-consistent decision making is enaphasized. RPD decision analysis is used to define limits to its own cost effectiveness.
Two example problems are analysed in detail. Simple priority ratings are defined for two special cases: the sequence of independent tests all of which must succeed, and the sequence of independent problem solving attempts, any of which may succeed. The compromise between project duration and project cost is analysed in terms of time dependence of the value of success.
The discrimination study is defined as an investigation which aims to provide information for an improved assessment of project success probability.
It is shown that such a study is never worth more than one quarter of the total expected benefits of the project.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors make the case that the concept of expertise is not as simple as a supply-demand view assumes, and that the solution to the problem may lie in the hands of individual firm and its manpower policies, rather than in the overhaul of national systems of education.
Abstract: A major problem to be faced in the coming decade is ensuring an adequate supply of trained staff to innovate and exploit new technologies. Historically this has often been defined as a macroeconomic supply-demand issue, to do with generating people from the educational sector with the appropriate mix of expertise in the numbers required to meet demand in the industrial sector. In this paper the author makes the case that the concept of ‘expertise’ is not as simple as a supply-demand view assumes. The definition of what is appropriate expertise for given jobs—technical and managerial—seems to be heavily influenced by who is trying to gain control over whom, a phenomenon that can also be seen at work in situations as diverse as shopfloor demarcations and the behaviour of professional bodies. If this is the case, the solution to the supply-demand problem may well lie in the hands of the individual firm and its manpower policies, rather than in the overhaul of national systems of education.
TL;DR: An information system which is designed for and is being implemented at Marmara Scientific and Industrial Research Institute, Turkey, to provide for a continuous review of the activities carried out at the Institute based on quantitative as well as qualitative information.
Abstract: An information system which is designed for and is being implemented at Marmara Scientific and Industrial Research Institute, Turkey, is described. The basic objectives of the system are to provide for a continuous review of the activities carried out at the Institute based on quantitative as well as qualitative information and to facilitate the gathering of timely and accurate information required by the organizations with which the Institute is affiliated.