Successful Industrial Innovations: A Study of Factors Underlying Innovation in Selected FirmsThis report summarizes the results of a study conducted over the years 1963 to 1967 by the National Planning Association for the National Science Foundation. This project had its origins in the deep and continuing interest of the National Science Foundation in the question of the impact of science and technology on society. The objective was to provide empirical knowledge about the factors which stimulate or advance the application in the civilian economy of scientific and technological findings. As the project developed it took the form of a statistical study of innovations in selected industries, the industries-railroads and railroad suppliers, computer manufacturers and suppliers, and housing suppliers - purposively selected to provide a view of the innovation process in industries with differential involvement in, and dependence on, current technological advances. The results are presented in a manner intended to highlight the differences, or similarities, of the innovative process in the several industries. In. a similar manner, differences and similarities between original innovations--those which are new to the economy as well as the firm--are juxtaposed where relevant with corresponding information for adopted innovations, i.e., innovations new to the firm but not new to the economy. |
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$1 million 7.2 Process activity Administrative factors adopted innovations appendix table ber cent Capital equipment/materials Characteristics of innovations classified code conversion Computer suppliers Cost of innovation Degree of adaptation education and experience engineering equipment evoked the basic evoked the idea expedited the solution experience in firm experience outside firm Experimental/test procedures External channels frequently Housing suppliers Impact on production information input evoked innovations arising innovations Original innovations innovations required laboratory Less than $10 Less widely diffused major information input Market-related factors Mode of obtaining National Science Foundation Nature of innovation Number Percent Number Number Percent Total original and adopted Original new process Percent Number Percent present study Primary initiating factor R&D experience R&D papers Railroad companies Railroad suppliers relatively research and development sales in millions Search and experimentation Serendipity source of information specific tank car Technical factors technical feasibility technical innovation teleprinter tion vations Vendor or potential