Research and Development in the Firm: II. Organisation and Execution

Abstract

This chapter is concerned with the remaining three topics on the list of decision types introduced at the beginning of the preceding chapter. These are: the allocation of resources to R & D projects, the monitoring and control of projects, and the organisation of the R & D function, both internally and in relation to the other parts of the firm. These issues are therefore more closely related to the operational aspects of R & D than those discussed in previous chapters. This operational character has resulted in rather more attention being given to these topics by the management literature and rather less by the academic economics literature. However, it is through operational activities that strategic intent is expressed, if a rationalist view is taken; or is revealed, if a somewhat less rationalist view is taken. Therefore the connections between operational issues and the other decision types discussed previously should always be borne in mind.