New strategies for new challenges : corporate innovation in the United States and Japan : report of a joint task force of the National Research Council and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council (U.S.)

Contributor:

Nihon Gakujutsu Shinkōkai.

Series:

Compass series (Washington, D.C.)

The compass series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Technological innovations--United States.

Technological innovations.

Industries--United States.

Industries.

Technological innovations--Japan.

Industries--Japan.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (54 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, c1999.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Innovation, "the process by which firms master and get into practice product designs and manufacturing processes that are new to them," is vital for companies wishing to remain competitive in today's rapidly changing high technology industries. American and Japanese firms are among the world's most technologically innovative and competitive. However, the changing dynamics of global competition are forcing them to rethink their technological innovation strategies. The choices they make will have great impact on their futures as companies as well as on the livelihoods of their employees and the communities in which they operate. In order to understand the ways in which Japanese and American companies are changing their technological innovation strategies and practices, the Committee on Japan of the National Research Council and the Committee on Advanced Technology and the International Environment (Committee 149) of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) organized a bilateral task force composed of leading representatives from industry and academia to assess developments in corporate innovation strategies and report on their findings. Through a workshop discussion of the issues and subsequent interaction, the task force explored the institutional division of innovation in both countries: the structure and performance of technology-based industries, the role of the government in the support of science and technology, and the role of universities in the science and technology system. The task force was particularly interested in exploring the points on which the two systems are converging,-i.e., becoming more similar in strategy and practice-and where they continue to be distinct and different. Although a comprehensive study of these trends in U.S. and Japanese innovation was not easily feasible, the task force was able to develop several conclusions based on its workshop discussion and follow-up interactions that were substantial in time and content. This report identifies a set of issues whose further elucidation should be helpful in guiding public policy in both nations. These issues include the role of external sourcing of innovation, transnational activity and globalization, the organization and performance of R&D, and the role of consortia, joint ventures and other joint activities. A call for greater international efforts to collect and analyze data on these important trends is the central recommendation of the task force.

Contents:

New Strategies for New Challenges: Corporate Innovation in the United States and Japan

Copyright

Acknowledgments

Contents

Executive Summary

OVERVIEW

MAJOR AREAS OF U.S.-JAPAN CONVERGENCE AND CONTINUED DISPARITY

Growing Similarities and Evidence for Convergence

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)-Supplier Relations

Inventiveness

Focus on Core Business Activities

Role of Government

Continuing Fundamental Differences and Evidence Against Convergence

Defense-Related R&amp

D Spending

Role of Universities

Industry/Government Division of Responsibility

Labor-Market Practices

Supplier Networks

Component Sourcing

Financial Environment for Innovation

EMERGING TRENDS

Greater Reliance on External Sources of Innovation.

Shifts in Corporate R&amp

D Strategies and Organizations

Role of Consortia in Setting De Facto Standards

RECOMMENDATIONS

Need for More Data on U.S., Japanese and Global Trends in Corporate Innovation

Need to Continue Scholarly Work on Models and Frameworks for Innovation

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1 Introduction

2 Past Perceptions of U.S. and Japanese Innovation Systems

NATIONAL LEVEL DIFFERENCES

FIRM LEVEL DIFFERENCES

Organization and Geography of R&amp

D

Long-Term and Short-Term Perspectives

R&amp

D's Role in Setting Corporate Business Plans

Human Resources Utilization and Development

3 Are the U.S. and Japanese Innovation Systems Converging? Evidence for and Against

CHANGES IN INDUSTRY

Capital Markets

Corporate Innovation Management

Focus on Improving Productivity

Role of Knowledge

Priority Setting

Globalization of Innovation

Joint Initiatives in Manufacturing and Product Development

Issues Raised by Globalization

CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT'S ROLE.

NOTES AND REFERENCES

4 External Relationships in Corporate Technology Policy and Innovation Strategy

EXTERNAL SOURCING OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Vertical and Diagonal Relationships in Outsourcing

Diversification vs. New Firm Creation in Relation to Outsourcing of Innovation

Lack of Data to Measure the Extent of Foreign Sourcing of Innovation

Impact of External Sourcing of Innovation

Precompetitive Research Partnerships, Alliances, and Consortia

CONSORTIA FOR INFORMAL STANDARDIZATION AND RELATED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

5 Theory and Practice: Developing New Frameworks for Analyzing Systems of Innovation

DEMAND ARTICULATION

INDICATORS OF JAPANESE AND U.S. TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES AND ASSETS

CORPORATE TECHNOLOGY STOCK MODEL

INNOVATION-MEDIATED PRODUCTION AND THE ROLE OF KNOWLEDGE

6 Conclusions and Recommendations

CONCLUSIONS

Globalization of Corporate Innovation

U.S.-Japan "Problem Convergence" and Continued Disparities in Environments and Approaches

Need for Further Work

Need for International Efforts to Improve the Quantity and Quality of Data on Innovation

Comparability of Data on R&amp

Data on the Changing Institutional Context for R&amp

D, including Expanding International Links

Need for Additional Work on Models and Conceptual Frameworks for Innovation, and Research on Similarities and Differences…

Need to Address Major Emerging Policy Questions and Issues

Possible Shortage of Industrial Basic Research

Possible New Division of Labor in Funding Fundamental Research

De Facto Standards

National Civilian Technology Promotion Programs

NOTES AND REFERENCES.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

0-309-18438-X

1-280-21046-X

9786610210466

0-309-59094-9

0-585-19796-2

OCLC:

44963043