Der Standort der Industrieforschung in Forschung und Technik / Die Produktivität der naturwissenschaftlichen und technischen Forschung und Entwicklung

Growth in the scale of research and development, and concern about the efficiency of output, make it necessary to have thorough planning and coor­ dination of research functions. In the complex question of the technology of research, the position of industrial research assumes an important role. Foll­ owing a discussion of current but not satisfactory opinions, an attempt will be made to assign to industrial research the following tasks: Industrial research should work towards and hold in readiness scientific data - above all those relating to new spheres of activity - necessary for the enterprise. Where research is to be incorporated in the organisation of an industrial undertaking, no hard and fast rule is applicable. With regards to clear appli­ cability, sound reason advocates close liaison between the individual fields of study, whereby most of the work will devolve upon special research institutes. Examples have illustrated the method of working in industrial research, and shown the beneficial fluctuation between practical and basic research also in industrial research. Closely connected herewith is the question of freedom in research. Planning and coordination of major scientific projects, often decisively affecting their success, will be discussed in detail, and approved methods notified.