Science and corporate strategy : Du Pont R&D, 1902-1980
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
Science and corporate strategy : Du Pont R&D, 1902-1980
(Studies in economic history and policy : the United States in the twentieth century)
Cambridge University Press, 1988
Available at 74 libraries
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Note
Bibliography: p. 613-728
Includes index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Based on voluminous corporate records and extensive interviews with key employees, Science and Corporate Strategy: Du Pont R and D, 1902-1980 provides a comprehensive, critical study of research and development in a large US corporation. Du Pont was among a handful of US corporations that established formal research and development laboratories at the turn of the century to improve competitive positions in their respective industries. Initially, Du Pont's executives viewed R&D as an important though not central part of the corporations strategy. However the gains made by the company's laboratories soon demonstrated that R&D would be a critical ingredient in the firm's success. The industrial research and development laboratory became a major part of corporate structure; science became a central part of corporate strategy.
Table of Contents
- List of illustrations
- List of tables
- Editors' preface
- Authors' preface
- Introduction
- Part I. The Experimental Era: 1902-1921: 1. Organizing for research and development, 1902-1911
- 2. Reorganizing and diversification
- 3. World War I and the venture into dyestuffs
- 4. Decentralization
- Part II. Creating a Chemical Empire: 5. Rebuilding a central research organization
- 6. Research to the rescue: Du Pont finishes
- 7. Research efficiency: the organic chemicals department
- 8. New fibers and films for a new era: the rayon department
- 9. From nitrates to nylon: the ammonia department
- 10. Du Pont R&D in the international sphere
- 11. Development power: the case of titanium dioxide pigments
- Part III. 'Better Things for Better Living through Chemistry': 12. The 'radical departure': Charles Stine's fundamental research program
- 13. The 'D' of R&D: the development of neoprene and nylon
- 14. Developing a discipline: chemical engineering research at Du Pont
- 15. The conduct of research
- Part IV. Chemistry Enshrined: 16. The war years and postwar expansion of research
- 17. The persuit of science at Du Pont
- 18. Making a revolution: Du Pont and synthetic fibers
- 19. New directions in fibers R 20. Biological chemicals
- 21. Keeping ahead of the competition: Du Pont plastics
- Part V. Challenge and Response: 22. The new venture era
- 23. Successful diversification: the photo products department
- 24. Toxicological and environmental research
- 25. Redirecting R&D: the 1970s
- Reprise: science and corporate strategy at Du Pont
- Appendixes
- Notes
- Essay on sources
- Index.
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