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R&D strategies and variable demand
Author(s) -
Lowe Julian,
Silver Mick
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
randd management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.253
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1467-9310
pISSN - 0033-6807
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9310.1986.tb01179.x
Subject(s) - hoarding (animal behavior) , variable (mathematics) , economics , face (sociological concept) , microeconomics , business , industrial organization , sociology , mathematics , social science , ecology , biology , mathematical analysis , foraging
This paper looks at some of the factors imposing on the resourcing of R&D in the face of fluctuating demand. R&D has various features that differentiate it from other aspects of corporate activity and consequently managerial strategies for dealing with R&D may vary substantially. The implications for R&D strategies and the acquisition of technology are considered under different demand conditions. Various alternative strategies are developed including contracting out, technology licensing and the maintenance of an in‐house facility through labour hoarding. New and existing empirical estimates are used to support the arguments and explain corporate strategy in this area.