INDUSTRIAL R&D IN 2008-REVISITING THE 1998 PREDICTIONS

In 1998, the Industrial Research Institute predicted that people in the laboratory 2008 would be more risk-taking and business-oriented with skills that are constantly being upgraded: that technical intelligence would be fully integrated throughout the firm; that technical work in the lab would be far more efficient and effective, utilizing a wide variety of outside resources; that flexible organizational structures and true enterprise integration would capitalize on a new era for growth and competitiveness; and that leadership and skillful management would be critical elements of these evolving processes. A recent survey of the IRI membership was undertaken to determine whether or not these changes actually happened and if so, to what degree. The results show progress but some of the actions proposed 10 years ago are just now being implemented.