Autonomy in the Industrial R&D Lab

Abstract

This paper distinguishes between 'strategic autonomy' (the freedom to set one's own research agenda) and 'operational autonomy' (the freedom, once a problem has been set, to attack it by means determined by oneself, within given resource constraints). The paper argues, and presents preliminary corroborating data, that the optimal position for the start of careers in the R&D lab is to be low on strategic but high on operational autonomy. Most labs, however, seem to espouse a philosophy of strategic autonomy. This confusion between strategic and operational autonomy creates dilemmas and contradictions in the technical career areas.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADA148075

Entities

People

  • Lotte Bailyn

Tags

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  • Autonomy
  • Biomedical
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

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  • Air Force
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  • Employment
  • Engineering
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  • Organizational Psychology.
  • Software Engineering
  • Strategic Security Studies