Organizational Factors Affecting Research and Development Decision-Making in Large Decentralized Companies

The design of a long term research program on the organization of R and D in decentralized companies is presented. The decentralized firm and the various deployments of R and D in such firms are described. Data is given on the incidence of the various organizational forms in five industry groups. The classes of decisions commonly encountered in R and D are indicated. Categories for describing and analyzing the assigned mission of an R and D lab are presented.