Industrial Research And Development

"This book combines the data and analyses of research with the perspective and interpretive commentary of the practitioner. ... provides the reader with a grasp of the dynamic nature of industrial research, the influences that shape it, and its role in society. Factors that shape current industrial research, including the internationalization of R&D, declining defense expenditures, and the corporate environment, are covered. ...describes the globalization of industrial operation and the current and future challenges that globalization will bring."--Back cover.

The most critical need second only to military support for the State of Israel is the economic expansion of its science-based industry--an industry that exploded in the 1970's due to a flood of public support for technological advancement. Industrial Research and Development in Israel investigates Israel's present industrial research situation and maps out the years to come as the nation strives to escalate its export of self-developed products. The author's detailed description of Israel's present research and development (R&D) status will interest management scholars concerned with high technology issues and questions relating to commercialized defense technology, as well as students of military and Middle East studies.

The debate about the effects of corporate restructuring on industrial investment in research and development has important implications for public policy, since research and development is vital to the nation's ability to compete in the global marketplace. Researchers worry that debt service will cut research and development funds; financiers argue that restructuring improves corporate efficiency without affecting research and development expenditures. This book eminated from a symposium sponsored by the Academy Industry Program. The speakers represented a range of opinions from government, Wall Street, industry, and academia. In addition to helping all sides in the dialogue learn something of the others' needs and expectations by presenting various points of view on the issue, the discussions identify areas in which more research is needed to guide policy decisions.

Industrial technologies have rapidly developed since the Industrial Revolution, and technological progress during the 19th century had been significantly promoted by the great inventors of that century including James Watt, Alfred Nobel and Thomas Edison. In the 20th century, progress was remarkably promoted by activities in corporate research laboratories and advanced products such as nylon and transistors were developed. Industrial products have progressed with the incremental improvements of conventional products while technological advances are associated with progress in science. Understanding human need and the scientific background around technologies are thus indispensable for further advancement in industrial product production. This book presents an overview of the essential concepts relating to industrial technology and is intended to provide essential information for engineers and researchers involved in research and development.

Workshop participants offered a variety of suggestions to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other federal agencies to improve the usefulness and relevance of data on industrial research and innovation, as well as to increase efficiency in collecting and processing the data. The suggestions dealt with the need to (1) clarify policy information needs; (2) improve the quality, coverage, and collection of existing data items; and (3) identify and collect new types of data.