Management structure in an industrial research laboratory

AbstractThe relation between the need to maintain an efficient research resource and the need to use it effectively for the benefit of the business is best met by a matrix structure. The example of a single laboratory in a large organization is discussed.     

Estimate accuracy and causes of delay in an engineering research laboratory

Some of the main results of a study of the accuracy of cost and duration estimates in this laboratory have already been published. This short article adds some further information about the accuracy of duration estimates for stages of projects (as opposed to whole projects), and about the reasons for upward revisions of duration estimates.     

东莞三大国家级实验室为玩具企业提供支持

近期,从广东东莞检验检疫局获悉,为了更好服务企业,推动企业转型升级,东莞市检验检疫局正依托消费品、电器附件、食品接触材料等三个国家级重点实验室,构建公共技术服务平台。东莞加工贸易企业众多,近年来随着企业转型升级的推进,加工贸易企业在转型升级过程中,对国外产品标准、技术法规、人才培训、质量控制、研发和测试     

the 'making' of an entrepreneur: testing a model of entrepreneurial intent among engineering students at MIT

In the present study a covariance structure model is tested to identify the causes of entrepreneurial intent among engineering students. Specifically, we explore whether steady personal dispositions or whether perceptions of contextual founding conditions have an impact on the intention to found one's own business. The survey of 512 students at the MIT School of Engineering broadly confirms the model. Personality traits have a strong impact on the attitude towards self–employment. The entrepreneurial attitude is strongly linked with the intention to start a new venture. The students' personality therefore shows an indirect effect on intentions. Furthermore, the entrepreneurial intent is directly affected by perceived barriers and support factors in the entrepreneurship–related context. The findings have important implications for policy makers inside and outside universities.     

Financing a central research laboratory: A tool of R & D subsidy policy

Abstract . In this paper we discuss two major issues of financing a central research laboratory.
First, the decision faced by the firm or the division whether to invest in its own laboratory or to rent compatible central laboratory services. The second issue is the price that a central laboratory should charge for renting out its facilities.
Under the assumptions that a laboratory can serve a large number of users over a long period of time and thus diversify the risk of liquidation better than a single firm or division, we show that, under uncertainty, the rent for the central laboratory assets is less than the price that a firm is willing to pay for its usage. This surplus has interesting policy implications for the diversified firm that operates a central R & D laboratory for the use of its divisions and may wish to establish a transfer price system. Moreover, if the government finances a central laboratory to service industrial firms and it follows a policy of subsidizing industrial R & D, the surplus may be given to the user of the laboratory as a direct subsidy.     

Exploring entrepreneurial intention among engineering students in India: a multiple basket approach

International Journal of Technology and Design Education - In the light of Bandura’s (Social foundations of thought and action: a social cognitive perspective, Princeton-Hall, Englewood...     

Finding the connection between research and design: the knowledge development of STEM teachers in a professional learning community

International Journal of Technology and Design Education - Research and design activities are becoming more important in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and D&T...     

发展创新安全文化 积极促进小康社会的全面建设

十六大报告高屋建瓴地提出了全面建设小康社会的奋斗日标，指出：我们要在本世纪头20年，集中力量，全面建设惠及十几亿人口的更高水平的小康社会，全面建设小康社会，必须大力发展社会主义文化，建设社会主义精神文明。事关人民群众生命安全的生产和作为先进文化重要组成部分的安全文化是小康社会的重要内     

Design Cognition in a Building Expedition

In architecture courses, the bridging of design learning and construction is a constant challenge for educators. When designing the construction details of a building, students lack the field/site experience of the construction process and an understanding of the problems and solutions associated with erecting a building. The degree of buildability of the student design proposal is limited by classroom teaching environments as it is difficult for students to develop design cognition between the assembly process and the design of constructional elements for assembly. The paper describes an experiment in practical learning to develop this design cognition in a building expedition. Student design cognition was evaluated with team-based and individual decisions in overcoming problems in assembly, created by the design of the structural connections used. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Creating a national strategy for Internet development in Chile

A growing body of literature points to the importance of both economic and non-economic factors in reducing the digital divide. This paper examines Chile as a successful case where changes in government policies dramatically increased Internet access from about 2% of the population in 1998 to 23.8% in 2002. After reviewing the literature, the paper examines the debates in Chile over Internet development, tracing how public opinion was able to influence government policies, and how in turn, government policies increased Internet access. Specific policies include lowering telephone rates, connecting the various national networks, creating public access centers, and passing e-commerce legislation.     

Business model innovation: The effects of exploratory orientation,opportunity recognition,and entrepreneurial bricolage in an emerging economy

Business model innovation takes shape through a process of experimentation. This study holds that exploratory orientation is a key initiating factor of the experimentation process, and opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial bricolage both are actions constituting this process and thereby serve as conduits between exploratory orientation and business model innovation. Based on a survey data of Chinese firms, this study finds the positive relationship between exploratory orientation and business model innovation is mediated by opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial bricolage. The findings not only enrich the discipline’s knowledge on the antecedents of business model innovation but also extend the implications of exploratory orientation, opportunity recognition, and entrepreneurial bricolage to business model innovation.     

Project selection in a small university R&D laboratory

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.     

大庆油田规章制度体系建设实践

自重组整合以来,大庆油田公司在规章制度体系建设方面进行了积极的探索.为适应经营形势变化及满足一体化管理的要求,针对存在的主要问题,大庆油田以战略为统领,坚持顶层设计,强化统一管理,通过构建体系框架,搭建制度管理平台,借助信息化手段,开始分阶段建立规章制度体系:制订《规章制度管理办法》,实现归口管理;开展规章制度调研,摸清制度管理现状;颁布《规章制度手册编撰大纲》,构建科学化、规范化的制度体系框架;推进制度计划管理,确保清理整合工作稳步进行;明确制度审查标准,严格履行审核程序;构建规章制度管理平台,借助信息化手段提升管理效率.     

Strategies for best practice in research and technology institutes: an overview of a benchmarking exercise

Many technology institutes have been criticised for their dislocation from, or lack of relevance to, industry. This paper provides an overview of a major benchmaking study which analyzed in depth the most successful technology institutes from eight nations (four in Europe and four in East Asia). Institutes selected for study met a criterion which included a combination of dynamism, relevance to industry, contribution to the national science and technology infrastructure, independent fund-raising capability, innovative organizational structures, and effective management. The paper examines the activities engaged in by the eight institutes, the principal challenges they face, and identifies the main success factors underlying their achievements. The paper attempts to illustrate practical, best practice strategies by showing how leading technology institutes have successfully contributed to their national system of innovation. To this end, success factors have been categorized into those factors which are under the direct control of the institutes (internal), which are outside of their influence (external), and those which can be affected to a lesser or greater extent.     

Organisational culture in the age of the Internet: an exploratory study

Through an exploratory study of a large financial services organisation, this study finds that the idiosyncratic nature of the Internet and Internet operations point to a range of implications for both the interaction of organisational subcultures and the internal and external perceptions of organisational culture.     

Forecasting the textile scene: an aid to the planning of a research programme

Abstract . A Delphi study over the whole of the U.K. textile industry is at present being carried out by the Technical Economy Department of the Shirley Institute. This paper describes the methodology used and discusses some of the problems which have arisen and the results obtained.     

Mobility and its alternatives in a national R & D system

Abstract . A framework is presented for understanding the relationship between the mobility of researchers and the effectiveness of an R & D system. Alternative structural factors that can provide similar results are described. Data taken from a study of Israel illustrate the extent to which mobility and its alternatives are found in this country, which has a particularly effective national R & D system.     

Applying knowledge management to project marketing in a demanding technology transfer project: Convincing the industrial customer over the knowledge gap

Literature in project and knowledge management has examined knowledge management in projects, but the utilization of knowledge management in project marketing is still largely unexplored. This study examines the links between knowledge management and project marketing activities in a project where the seller wants to convince the potential buyer about a demanding investment project. An in-depth case study illustrates this in a situation hampered by a technical knowledge gap between the parties. The buyer is committed when they can trust the seller's capability to successfully accomplish the project. The seller must criticize and communicate its core and project specific knowledge of technologies and customer needs through project marketing. A framework and implications on knowledge management and project marketing activities in different project phases is presented. It is proposed that knowledge management is a pertinent tool for project marketing as it helps to understand the roles of different knowledge types.     

Supporting new product commercialization through managerial social ties and market knowledge development in an emerging economy

While it has been advocated that the generation and application of market knowledge shape marketing capabilities to commercialize new products, the weak institutional environment makes access to critical market knowledge challenging in emerging economies. Critically, managerial social ties with business and political institutions may complement the firm’s market orientation (MO) to obtain market knowledge that is not available in the open market in emerging economies. This study draws attention to the differential roles of business and political ties in complementing or inhibiting the effects of market orientation on exploratory and exploitative marketing capabilities in one of the “Next Eleven” emerging economies, Iran. The results help firms operating in emerging economies to identify the conditions under which business and political ties help to overcome institutional limitations, complement market-oriented efforts, and successfully commercialize new products.