Managing Research, Development, and Innovation: Managing the Unmanageable, Third Edition

1.6. EMPHASIS ON BASIC VERSUS APPLIED RESEARCH

We have discussed some research organization categorization and ways of developing an R&D portfolio. For planning purposes, three types of research organization categorization were presented. The emphasis on basic research versus applied research within each organization varies; consequently, there is a certain amount of conflict. The conflict is due to the fact that basic research is often dictated by the questions that science is asking. Such research may require activities that are not compatible with the mission-oriented research that a commercial or government organization is supposed to do. For example, a scientist while reading a scientific journal may have an insight that requires further ...