MANAGEMENT AND INNOVATION IN R&D ORGANIZATIONS: AN INTEGRATIVE MODEL

Abstract

Models are representations of reality which are useful for knowledge advancement in several areas. This paper presents a model of technological innovation in R&D organizations. The model conceives this phenomena as being: a) systemic; b) multilevel; c) organizational; d) multivariate; e) amenable to quantificacion and measuring. Literature on innovation and knowledge production in organizations usually includes two elements in related models: a) the R&D process, in its several phases; b) predictors or enablers of innovation, originated at the macro, meso or micro contexts of the phenomena. On the other hand, literature on technology management presents models emphasizing portfolio management and network research as being the most important features of R&D management nowadays. The model proposed in the present paper integrates these conceptions, trying to capture the relevance of management variables in the success of the technological innovation process, within R&D organizations. The paper concludes with a discussion of potential uses for the proposed model.