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THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN INNOVATION

THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN INNOVATION. Investigating the value of information tools to R&D scientists and engineers An independent study of U.S. researchers, sponsored by Elsevier. Presented By: Date:. THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN INNOVATION. METHODOLOGY. 101 Communications

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THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN INNOVATION

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  1. THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN INNOVATION Investigating the value of information tools to R&D scientists and engineers An independent study of U.S. researchers, sponsored by Elsevier Presented By: Date:

  2. THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN INNOVATION METHODOLOGY

  3. 101 Communications AdvanStar Communications The American Academy of Family Physicians ABM — Agri Council The American Express Publishing Company (Food& Wine Magazine) The American Pharmaceutical Association The Axon Group/LRP Publications Aventis Pharmaceuticals Boucher Communications (Cardinal Business Media) Capital Publishing Company (Fidelity Investments - Worth Magazine) Chilton Publishing Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals (Novartis) Cowles Business Media Dental Learning Systems Dun & Bradstreet Edgell Communications Epson Farm Journal Media Fujitsu Global Marketing Solutions (CeBIT; Hannover Fairs) THE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION ... Martin Akel & Associates (Client List) Goldhirsch Publishing Hammock Publishing IDG (InfoWorld Media Group) Jobson Publishing Lakewood Publications Medical Economics Publishing Co. Medical World Communications OAG Official Airline Guide PCS Health Systems The Philadelphia Inquirer/ PhillyTech Magazine Primedia/Intertec Corporation Professional Media LLC Reed Business Information/Cahners Business Information/Gordon Publications Reed Elsevier Medical Publishers The Society Of Manufacturing Engineers Springhouse Corporation Symbol Technologies Time Ventures

  4. Date Conducted: January, 2005 Universe Studied: 25,000 U.S. researchers in the corporate (industrial) market selected from the Reed Business Information database; names were selected on a random nth name basis Market Segments: Names were selected from all types of corporate markets ... including process manufacturing, discrete manufacturing, private research firms, etc. Titles Selected: Research/laboratory management as well as staff researchers (scientists, chemists, engineers, etc.) Medium Used: E-mail survey. One announcement e-mail plus two reminders. Identification: The survey was sent out over the Elsevier title Incentive: A drawing for one of ten $50 American Express Gift certificates. With the third e-mail wave, the first 100 respondents were offered a ten-dollar bill Response Rate: 561 usable returns = 2.2%; margin of error (95% confidence level) = +/- 4.2% METHODOLOGY

  5. THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN INNOVATION RESPONDENTS’ DEMOGRAPHICS

  6. TYPES OF BUSINESSES Processed products manufacturer 14% (pharmaceutical mfrs.; chemical processors; petroleum processors; plastic products mfrs; other processed products) Discrete products manufacturer42% (computer or peripherals mfrs.; automotive mfrs.; aerospace mfrs.; scientific/medical instrument mfrs.; test/measurement instrument mfrs.; telecommunications products mfrs.; semiconductor mfrs.; mfrs. Of electronic products; metals, machinery mfrs.; mfrs. of other discrete products) Other businesses 44% (biotechnology companies; private research firms/labs; independent research centers/institutes; contract research organizations; environmental companies; software developers; consulting firms; others) All respondents are researchers ... virtually all work for corporate/industrial organizations Q. “Are you personally engaged in or responsible for any R&D activities in your company?” Q. “Which describes your company’s primary business?” Number personally involved In R&D activities: 100%

  7. RESPONDENTS’ TITLES Professional staff member (scientist, chemist, researcher, investigator, technician, etc.) 20% Engineer 18% Subtotal, Technical Staff 38% R&D dir., mgr., asst. mgr., etc. 13% Project dir./mgr. (team leader, section head, supv., etc.) 11% Engineering dir., mgr., asst. mgr., etc. 7% Technical dir./mgr., asst. mgr., etc. 7% Laboratory dir., mgr., asst. mgr., etc. 5% Subtotal, Technical Management 43% Corporate Management 15% Other 4% Respondents represent experienced research staff members, research staff members, reasearch management and corporate management Q. “Which best describes your title?” Number personally involved In R&D activities: 100%

  8. Annual R&D Budget Less than $250K 29% $250K - 999K 16% $1 mill. - 2.9 mill. 14% $3 mill. - 9.9 mill. 9% $10 mill. - 49.9 mill. 12% $50 mill. or more 20% Average: $105 million Median: $1 million Respondents work forsmall, medium and large businesses Q. “What are your firm’s annual sales revenues?” Q. “What is your firm’s total annual R&D budget?” Q. “How many people at your location are involved in research and/or development?” Annual Sales Revenue Less than $1 mill. 21% $1 mill. - 4.9 mill. 10% $5 mill. - 24.9 mill. 13% $25 mill. - 99 mill. 11% $100 mill. - 999 mill. 17% $1 bill. or more 28% Average: $2.0 billion Median: $64 million # People Involved In R&D 1 - 49 59% 50 - 99 10% 100 - 499 13% 500 - 999 8% 1,000 or more 10% Average: 329 Median: 41

  9. CONCLUSIONS Respondents to this survey are experienced researchers. They are therefore very well qualified to comment on trends affecting researchers in the corporate/industrial market, and the need for R&D information tools. RESPONDENTS’ DEMOGRAPHICS

  10. THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN INNOVATION CHANGES IN THE ENVIRONMENT FOR CONDUCTING RESEARCH

  11. Q. “Are there now greater expectations for researchers to contribute to the growth of your company (enabling new processes, products, efficiencies, etc.)?” Expectations to contribute to corporate growth (vs. 4 - 5 years ago) Most researchers now face greater expectationsto contribute to their company's growth

  12. Q. “How much more is now at risk with your research efforts ... i.e., do the results of those efforts have a larger impact on your firm’s success?” Whether research efforts now impact companies to a greater degree (vs. 4 - 5 years ago) Reseachers feel there's now “more at risk” with their research efforts ... that those activities have a larger impact on their firm's success

  13. Today, reseachers are pressured to achieve their goals more quickly Q. “Given today’s business environment, is there more pressure on researchers to achieve their objectives more quickly?” Whether there's pressure to achieve objectives more quickly (vs. 4 - 5 years ago)

  14. Most researchers believe there's now less room for error” in their investigative approaches Q. “Which describes the “room for error” in your selection of approaches used in research (i.e., the need to make the right decision the first time)?” Whether there's less room for error In selecting approaches to research (vs. 4 - 5 years ago)

  15. Researchers are now more concerned with achieving breakthroughs or improvements before their competitors do Q. “Given the technologies and amount of information available to your firm’s competitors, how concerned are you about their achieving breakthroughs or improvements before your company does?” Trend in concern with achieving breakthroughs before competitors

  16. CONCLUSIONS Among researchers, there’s a distinct trend toward enhanced pressure for performance. Today -- there are greater expectations to contribute to the growth of their companies, to work more quickly toward solutions, and, to achieve positive results the first time out. It’s an era where professionals recognize there’s now “more at risk” with each project, and they must find ways to move the research process forward more effectively. They therefore require approaches and tools that: limit failures and dead- ends; lead to exclusive, novel processes and products; and, bring those products to market ahead of the competition. CHANGES IN THE ENVIRONMENT FOR CONDUCTING RESEARCH

  17. THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN INNOVATION THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING ACCESS TO THE WORK OF OTHER RESEARCHERS

  18. To ensure that their efforts are on the right track, most researchers are now even more diligent in investigating the work of others Q. “To ensure that your research activities are on the right track, do you now make a greater effort to investigate the work and experiences of other researchers ... i.e., using journals or Web resources to examine their theories, experiments, techniques, results, etc.?” Change in investigating the work of other researchers (vs. 4 - 5 years ago)

  19. To properly execute their responsibilities, most professionals believe it's vital to have access to the experiences of other researchers Q. “To properly execute your research responsibilities, how vital is it to have access to the work and experiences of other researchers?” Importance of having access to the work and experiences of peers

  20. As they seek the experiences of their peers, researchers must now search through significantly more information Q. “Given the body of work being generated by researchers, is there now more research information you must search through and evaluate to properly conduct your own projects?” Amount of background information researchers must evaluate (vs. 4 - 5 years ago) 80% Now find It more challenging to stay current with information generated by other researchers

  21. CONCLUSIONS Given the pressures to generate results that contribute to corporate growth, most professionals are increasingly relying on the work of researchers who have preceded them ... using journals or Web resources to examine their theories, experiments, techniques and results. As they seek to accomplish this activity, which they consider “vital” to their objectives, researchers must search through an ever-increasing volume of information ... a task they find more challenging than in years past. Therefore, “R&D information tools” that enable them to conduct this search reliably and efficiently would likely be embraced by most researchers. THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING ACCESS TO THE WORK OF OTHER RESEARCHERS

  22. THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN INNOVATION TYPES OF INFORMATION TOOLS USED BY PROFESSIONALS; THE VALUE OF TOOLS

  23. The definition of R&D information tools as described to survey respondents DEFINITION: The term R&D information tools refers to peer-reviewed research journals and Web databases containing technical research articles, abstracts, backfiles, books, news and related literature and references. These media enable knowledge transfer ... they make available concepts, approaches, experiments, results and conclusions that have been developed to date, for use by today’s researchers. These information tools are paid for either by you or your organization.

  24. Q. “Check ALL the types of R&D information tools you use in your work -- i.e., those you or your organization PAY to access.” 73% of the survey respondents use paid R&D information tools Three-quarters of the survey's respondentsuse one or more types of paid information tools Note: Among researchers who use R&D information tools of any type.

  25. Researchers view R&D information tools as “Stepping Stones” ... enabling them to learn what’s been accomplished and then create the next step forward in their projects Q. “Rather than having to reinvent that which has been achieved by other researchers, do you use R&D information tools as “stepping stones” ... enabling you to learn what’s been accomplished and then create the next step forward?” Whether researchers view different types of information tools as “Stepping Stones” Note: Among researchers who use R&D information tools of any type.

  26. Q. “Please rate R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) on the following factors.” The primary reason researchers value R&D information tools:provides knowledge to build on to accomplish research objectives Note: Among researchers who use R&D information tools of any type.

  27. Researchers also utilize information tools to compare their work with others and to support their research decisions Q. “Please check ALL the other reasons why you use R&D information tools.” Additional reasons for using R&D information tools Note: Among researchers who use R&D information tools of any type.

  28. Researchers find R&D information tools to be a productive way to stimulate innovation Q. “How effective are R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) in stimulating new ideas or approaches for your research?” The effectiveness of information tools in stimulating innovation

  29. CASE HISTORIES HOW RESEARCHERS USE R&D INFORMATION TOOLS TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE INNOVATION PROCESS

  30. Accellent Air Products and Chemicals Alcoa Analog Devices BV AT&T Labs BAE Systems CFT Baxter Healthcare Bell Labs Boeing Cabot Microelectronics Corp. Chattahoochee Composites ChevronTexaco ConocoPhillips Corning CureMD Corp Delphi Chassis Systems Dow Chemical Eastman Kodak Company E. I. DuPont ExxonMobil Chemical Co. Fujitsu GE Healthcare CASE HISTORIES General Motors Hewlett Packard Company IBM Ingenuity Systems Intel Corporation International Paper JDS Uniphase Johnson & Johnson Kronos Science Laboratories Lafarge North America Laser Reproductions Lincoln Electric Company Lucent Technologies Mary Kay Inc. MeadWestvaco Miller Brewing Company Milliken & Co. Moog, Inc. Motorola, Inc. MPI Research, Inc. Nanomat, Inc. National Semiconductor. Northrop Grumman Novartis Omni Design Concepts, Inc. Pitney Bowes Rogers Corporation Rosemount Inc. SAE Magnetics Sandvik Process Systems Sanofi-Aventis Schlumberger SensorMedics Corporation Sherwin-Williams Co Siemens VDO Sikorsky Taylor Made-Adidas Golf TerraSolar, Inc. Texas Instruments 3M Company Toro TRW Automotive Whirlpool Corp. W. R. Grace

  31. CASE SITUATION – Automotive Manufacturer Researcher’s Title: Engineer Sales Revenues: $5 billion - 7.4 billion R&D Budget: $25 million - 49.9 million Research/Process/Product Worked On: Magnetoelastic materials applied to automotive sensors Problem Or Issue Faced: Need for low-cost magnetic sensing devices Information Tools Used: Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based full-text articles; Web-based technical references (e.g., listings of chemical compounds, etc.) What Was Learned From Tools: We are far ahead of our competition Applications Of Information: Redirected efforts into a more productive area How Information Tools Contributed:Discovered that competitors’ technology was less effective than that we use Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  32. CASE SITUATION – Computer/Peripherals Manufacturer Researcher’s Title:Corporate manager (owner, pres., CEO, etc.) Sales Revenues: $10 billion or more R&D Budget: $1 billion or more Research/Process/Product Worked On: High performance lead microprocessor, computer architecture and arithmetic, computer algorithm, VLSI circuit design, IC process, device modeling and simulation, design for test, special circuits Problem Or Issue Faced:Process variation, low power design, circuit probability and statistical design, vertical optimization from top down architecture to circuit topology and from bottom-up layout to full chip design activities Information Tools Used: Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based indexes of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based abstracts/citations of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based full-text articles; Web-based technical books; Web-based technical references (e.g., listings of chemical compounds, etc.); Web-based news related to research What Was Learned From Tools: Most advanced research, theory, and solutions Applications Of Information: Combine them horizontally & vertically, verify them, exploit the interdiscipline spaces How Information Tools Contributed:Found a solution not known before, expand solution fields and perspectives, provide invention opportunities. Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  33. CASE SITUATION – Scientific/Medical Instrument Manufacturer Researcher’s Title: Engineering director, mgr., asst. mgr., etc. Sales Revenues: $100 million - 499 million R&D Budget: $1 million - 1.9 million Research/Process/Product Worked On: A steerable dialator for interventional cardiac procedures Problem Or Issue Faced: Patent infringement and poor prototype performance Information Tools Used: Web-based indexes of articles/books/references, etc; Web based abstracts/citations of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based technical references (e.g., listings of chemical compounds, etc.); Web-based news related to research What Was Learned From Tools: We were able to review existing patents. Determined that a material change was required to improve performance Applications Of Information: Utilized a material with higher yield strength How Information Tools Contributed: The research accelerated the development process by minimizing the design. iterations. Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  34. CASE SITUATION – Scientific/Medical Instrument Manufacturer Researcher’s Title:R&D director, mgr., asst. mgr., etc. Sales Revenues: $100 million - 499 million R&D Budget: $20 million - 24.9 million Research/Process/Product Worked On: Drug development Problem Or Issue Faced: Searching for downstream effects Information Tools Used: Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based indexes of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based abstracts/citations of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based full-text articles. What Was Learned From Tools: The metabolic mechanism for binding the product in blood and its excretion rate Applications Of Information: Helped us to modify the drug delivery profile to minimize side effects How Information Tools Contributed:Gave us a new application that we were not certain we could go after Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  35. CASE SITUATION – Semiconductor Manufacturer Researcher’s Title: Project director/mgr. (team leader, section head, supv., etc.) Sales Revenues: $100 million - 499 million R&D Budget: $500K - 999K Research/Process/Product Worked On: Communication router Problem Or Issue Faced: Nondisclosure of technical information from competitors Information Tools Used: Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based indexes of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based abstracts/citations of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based full-text articles; Web-based technical books; Web-based technical references (e.g., listings of chemical compounds, etc.); Web-based news related to research What Was Learned From Tools: Other people’s experience How Information Tools Contributed:Avoid mistakes. Speed up decision process. Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  36. CASE SITUATION – Semiconductor Manufacturer Researcher’s Title: Engineer Sales Revenues: $10 billion or more R&D Budget: $250 million - 499 million Research/Process/Product Worked On: MEMS (microelectromechanical system) Problem Or Issue Faced: Need for mechanical dynamic interrogation means on a MEMS device with high frequency and in a hermetically sealed environment Information Tools Used:Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based indexes of articles/books/references, etc What Was Learned From Tools: Others using this tool for interrogation (in academic environment) Applications Of Information: Bought the similar tool and use it How Information Tools Contributed:Gives unprecedented resolution and details that are beneficial for modeling support for our product Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  37. CASE SITUATION – Telecommunications Product Manufacturer Researcher’s Title:Engineer Sales Revenues:$10 billion or more R&D Budget:$25 million - 49.9 million Research/Process/Product Worked On:Cellular phones Problem Or Issue Faced:Without current/updated information about what the customers may need and other companies may have Information Tools Used:Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based indexes of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based abstracts/citations of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based full-text articles; Web-based technical references (e.g., listings of chemical compounds, etc.); Web-based news related to research What Was Learned From Tools:Take out the ideas that may not be widely accepted by the customers or may not generate great revenue Applications Of Information:Reading/taking notes, discussing with other engineers/managers How Information Tools Contributed:Found a solution, not known before and avoided mistakes/reduced cost Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  38. CASE SITUATION – Chemical Processor Researcher’s Title:Professional staff member (scientist, chemist, researcher, investigator, technician, etc.) Sales Revenues:$10 billion or more R&D Budget:$1 billion or more Research/Process/Product Worked On:Coating formulations Problem Or Issue Faced:Learning about the competitions formulations Information Tools Used:Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based indexes of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based abstracts/citations of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based full-text articles; Web-based technical books; Web-based technical references (e.g., listings of chemical compounds, etc.); Web-based news related to research. What Was Learned From Tools: What others have done in the area Applications Of Information:IP is important we do not want to infringe upon what others have done How Information Tools Contributed:By knowing the approaches others have taken we have been able to generate new ideas Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  39. CASE SITUATION – Chemical Processor Researcher’s Title: R&D director, mgr., asst. mgr., etc. Sales Revenues: $5 billion - 7.4 billion R&D Budget: $100 million - 249 million Research/Process/Product Worked On: Composite product made from multiple materials Problem Or Issue Faced: Needed to improve the performance of one of the materials so we had to understand how much was already known about our proposed approach Information Tools Used: Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based abstracts/citations of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based full-text articles; Web-based technical references (e.g., listings of chemical compounds, etc.) What Was Learned From Tools: Our approach has not previously been used and appeared to be a novel solution Applications Of Information: Helped provide focus on critical performance properties distinct from what was known in the literature How Information Tools Contributed:Indicated that our approach was novel and accelerated the work by providing comprehensive background information on what had been published Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  40. CASE SITUATION – Chemical Processor Researcher’s Title: Professional staff member (scientist, chemist, researcher, investigator, technician, etc.) Sales Revenues: $50 million - 99.9 million R&D Budget: $15 million - 19.9 million Research/Process/Product Worked On: Reducing mechanical damage during wafer polishing Problem Or Issue Faced: Wanted to understand indentation fracture and advances in that field that would pertain to my problem Information Tools Used: Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based abstracts/citations of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based full-text articles What Was Learned From Tools: Gained basic understanding of nano-indentation and brittle fracture, and the limits of current understanding How Information Tools Contributed:Did not have to do certain experiments since others have already done these. I could use published work to justify my approach (when requesting resources at work) Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  41. CASE SITUATION – Plastic Products Manufacturer Researcher’s Title: R&D director, mgr., asst. mgr., etc. Sales Revenues: $100 million - 499 million R&D Budget: $15 million - 19.9 million Research/Process/Product Worked On: New-to-world product Problem Or Issue Faced:Needed to know state of background technology Information Tools Used: Web-based indexes of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based abstracts/citations of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based full-text articles; Web-based technical books What Was Learned From Tools: Technical approaches tried or proposed by others Applications Of Information: Eliminated dead ends and duplicate effort How Information Tools Contributed:Research accelerated; costs of program reduced; several new directions arose for consideration Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  42. CASE SITUATION – Plastic Products Manufacturer Researcher’s Title: Corporate manager (owner, pres., CEO, etc.) Sales Revenues: Less than $1 million R&D Budget: Less than $250K Research/Process/Product Worked On:To learn about new, lower cost, processing technologies Problem Or Issue Faced: To improve the variety and extent of services offered to our customers, at competitive prices Information Tools Used: Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based full-text articles; Web-based technical books; Web-based technical references (e.g., listings of chemical compounds, etc.); Web-based news related to research What Was Learned From Tools: Information on what others are doing Applications Of Information:Modification of practice How Information Tools Contributed:Improved company competitiveness Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  43. CASE SITUATION – Process Manufacturer Researcher’s Title: R&D director, mgr., asst. mgr., etc. Sales Revenues: $50 million - 99.9 million R&D Budget: $5 million - 9.9 million Research/Process/Product Worked On: Thin film solar cell (photovoltaic) research and product development Problem Or Issue Faced: Extremely complicated interface engineering problems impacting the performance of solar cells and modules. Information Tools Used: Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based full-text articles; Web-based technical references (e.g., listings of chemical compounds, etc.) What Was Learned From Tools: The same problem that has been explored by other people Applications Of Information: We duplicated published ideas and tried similar ones (not identical but closely resembling the published work in concepts) How Information Tools Contributed:We have found a practical solution to the problem, even though we do not yet understand why the solution works Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  44. CASE SITUATION – Biotechnology Company Researcher’s Title:R&D director, mgr., asst. mgr., etc. Sales Revenues:$10 million - 24.9 million R&D Budget: $15 million - 19.9 million Research/Process/Product Worked On: Biological pathway discovery, knowledge capture tools for biologists Problem Or Issue Faced: Need to stay abreast of the latest tools and discoveries Information Tools Used: Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based indexes of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based full-text articles; Web-based news related to research What Was Learned From Tools: Novel approaches, latest advances, new ideas Applications Of Information: Extended and modified our research efforts How Information Tools Contributed:Identified new research directions. Avoided known roadblocks Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  45. CASE SITUATION – Biotechnology Company Researcher’s Title: R&D director, mgr., asst. mgr., etc. Sales Revenues: $50 million - 99.9 million R&D Budget: $5 million - 9.9 million Research/Process/Product Worked On: Immunology. Problem Or Issue Faced: Target identification. Information Tools Used: Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based indexes of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based full-text articles. What Was Learned From Tools:Possible targets. Applications Of Information: Experiment with the list of possible targets. How Information Tools Contributed:Identified a novel target for our research. Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  46. CASE SITUATION – Consulting Firm Researcher’s Title: Technical director/mgr., asst. mgr., etc. Sales Revenues: $5 million - 9.9 million R&D Budget: $500K - 999K Research/Process/Product Worked On: Metal/plastic hybrid materials Problem Or Issue Faced: Developing next generation products Information Tools Used: Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based abstracts/citations of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based news related to research What Was Learned From Tools:The state of the technology and user information Applications Of Information: Developing patent for new product. How Information Tools Contributed:Created exclusive business opportunities in product development. Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  47. CASE SITUATION – Private Research Firm/Laboratory Researcher’s Title: Corporate manager (owner, pres., CEO, etc.) Sales Revenues: Less than $1 million R&D Budget: Less than $250K Research/Process/Product Worked On: Sporting apparatus. Problem Or Issue Faced: Prior patents. Information Tools Used: Web-based indexes of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based abstracts/citations of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based full-text articles; Web-based technical books; Web-based technical references (e.g., listings of chemical compounds, etc.); Web-based news related to research. What Was Learned From Tools: Recently developed concepts. Applications Of Information: Modified our approach. How Information Tools Contributed:Found our concept was not patented. Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  48. CASE SITUATION – Software Developer Researcher’s Title:Engineering director, mgr., asst. mgr., etc. Sales Revenues: $50 million - 99.9 million R&D Budget:$1 million - 1.9 million Research/Process/Product Worked On: Mobile product for the healthcare world Problem Or Issue Faced: Existing products on the same genre were not comprehensive enough, plus they were not using the latest features available in these products Information Tools Used: Web-based indexes of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based abstracts/citations of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based technical books What Was Learned From Tools:The way for maximum ROI for our project Applications Of Information:Used the info to improve our application’s performance and features How Information Tools Contributed:Found a solution someone else had already invented, and saved upon our R&D budget. This budget was then used in other facets of implementation Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  49. CASE SITUATION – Medical Device Manufacturer Researcher’s Title:Project director/mgr. (team leader, section head, supv., etc.) Sales Revenues:$1 million - 4.9 million R&D Budget: $250K - 499K Research/Process/Product Worked On: New molding materials Problem Or Issue Faced: A molding problem, causing defective parts Information Tools Used: Web-based full-text articles; Web-based technical references (e.g., listings of chemical compounds, etc.) What Was Learned From Tools: Information provided suggested a change in the molding processes Applications Of Information: We changed the processes How Information Tools Contributed:Because of the information obtained we improved our scrap rate from 50% to 5% Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

  50. CASE SITUATION – Nanotechnology Researcher’s Title: R&D director, mgr., asst. mgr., etc. Sales Revenues: $10 million - 24.9 million R&D Budget: $10 million - 14.9 million Research/Process/Product Worked On: Nanomaterials and their application Problem Or Issue Faced: In case of repeating other’s works Information Tools Used: Peer-reviewed research journals; Web-based indexes of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based abstracts/citations of articles/books/references, etc; Web-based full-text articles; Web-based technical books; Web-based technical references (e.g., listings of chemical compounds, etc.); Web-based research news What Was Learned From Tools: 1. Other’s works, 2. avoid repeating, 3. produce new ideas Applications Of Information: I will not do what the others did and produce new ideas for our product How Information Tools Contributed:1. New idea in my mind. 2. Check information tools to see if other people did before. 3. Do experiments and patent application Q. “Please describe one EXAMPLE of how you’ve used R&D information tools (journals and/or technical Web databases) to gain knowledge to address research problems or issues.”

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