Managing High Tech R&D

1.0 Abstract

Research and development, often called R&D, is to develop new knowledge and apply scientific or engineering knowledge to connect the knowledge in one field to that in others (Trott, 2005). Therefore, R&D is considered as a key factor for economic growth, competitiveness and to achieve a higher standard of living. According to Miozzo and Walsh (2006), the capacity of firms to use new technologies is central in explaining industrial leadership and the competitiveness of regions and countries. New product design and development is more than often a crucial factor in the survival of a company. In an industry that is fast changing, firms must continually revise their design and range of products. This is necessary due to continuous technology change and development as well as other competitors and the changing preference of customers (Trott, 2005). Firms are unique in the role they play in articulating R&D to productive effect. Moreover, according to Miozzo and Walsh (2006), R&D is unique as problem generator and location for technological, organizational and economic learning. R&D also contributes to national sustainable growth and therefore should be highly regarded and prioritized.

In this paper, the author presents a literature review and a case study which explores how research and development (R&D) is managed especially in high tech R&D activities and processes. Firstly, this paper describes the types of R&D activities and processes for managing different types of R&D processes based on existing literature. This paper also attempts to explain how a high tech R&D organizational management relates to the type of R&D process and activities in terms of strategic management of technology, organization and managerial approach based on case study in Dyson.

This paper will be useful as an informative paper that gives higher education students a general understanding of different management for different R&D activities and processes, and existing... [continues]

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