Science and corporate strategy : Du Pont R&D, 1902-1980

Bibliographic Information

Science and corporate strategy : Du Pont R&D, 1902-1980

David A. Hounshell, John Kenly Smith, Jr

(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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