Abstract

Japan became the center of an economically and technologically very active region. The importance of this region has been recognized since several years by economists, scientists and politicians. In the R&D world one can observe the tendency to think in terms of a triad. This brings Japan in the position of one technological leader together and in the same rank as the US and Europe. For Japan it is a time of change after the post war years and the dawn of a new age. For Europe too, times of change have finally evolved as the year of unification draws near. Many private companies are engaged in preparation for a greater European market and beyond that more international times in respect to products and marketing. This has its consequences on the organization and the actual work of R&D as well. This paper describes some basic contemplations and new activities of Daimler Benz's research department which are designed to cope with those changes. Some expected benefits and actual difficulties in pursuing an international R&D strategy in respect to Japan are reported. The tendency to diversity industries and the globalization of markets combined with this present period of increased emphasis on high technology are considered in this paper.