[in Japanese]

View full abstract

We propose a method and a system, Research decision Support System (RDSS), to support the planning and promoting of R&D through structuring information in a unified manner. In planning R&D through the RDSS, we first assess pieces of relevant information and sort them into needs and seeds, and sore them in databases. Then we generate hierarchical graphs called R'D maps on a color graphic display, which are obtained by relating and integrating the needs and seeds. The maps display the holistic image of the relevant R&D areas. Furthermore, we select a path for R&D on the maps. The method for selecting the path takes into account of indirect effects of the R&D, we have implemented the system and obtained experimental results. Using some technical papers as information sources, which demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method and system.

View full abstract

In a changing society characterized by increasing changes in a wide array of science, technology and market areas, innovation is critical to the continued growth of the technology-based company. It is essential for management to recognize the process in which innovation is created through company activities and diffused into society. A novel framework is needed for the management of technical innovation in the technology-based business organization.While a variety of models for the innovation process have been studied, a cyclic model is proposed which consists of two phases, "differentiation" and "homogenization", and is based on the concept of governance which considers managerial issues. Although many conventional management concepts stress the present and the internal company structure, "governance" is a meta concept which focuses on the future and on the external environment. This study attempts to show that the innovation process is relevant to governance rather than to conventional daily management. The conceptual framework of management for the innovation process is proposed from this governance framework. Managerial problems are discussed as these relate to basic research activities. As example of governance in the introduction of new systems technology in an electric power system is also presented.This paper concludes by stressing that innovative fluctuations stimulated from a changing society result in the introduction of new ideas by researchers. These fluctuations are amplified through operational management and finally a new order is created as these fluctuations are organized through governance. The collaboration or synergism of these three functions; research, management, and governance are the intrinsic ingredients to successful innovation.

View full abstract

This paper analyzed the dynamics of Japanese R & D using bibliometric data and patent data. The fields studied were robotics (robots and industrial robots) and genetic engineering.Firstly, Japan was in the same phase as the rest of the world in robotics, concerning both original paper publications representing R & D results and general article publications representing information diffusion. However, Japan lagged behind the world by one year concerning genetic engineering R & D. Secondly, information diffusion had a time lead against R & D in industrial robots but they occurred at the same time in the other cases. Thirdly, in Japan, R & D in robots showed an earlier trend than R & D industrial robots by one year while the opposite was the case in the rest of the world. Fourthly, the trend of Japanese overseas patents showed a clear time lead against the domestic ones, and finally, it was observed that the Japanese trend of patent applications had an earlier phase than the world trend.

View full abstract

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the structure of the demand and supply of new science and engineering graduates in Japan, especially in relation to their employment by enterprises. Japanese universities are often criticized by employers for not producing highly qualified scientists and engineers. We propose a view of this 'mismatching' of scientific and engineering education. Four surveys were conducted to investigate the mismatching and the mobility of scientists and engineers, and the results of our analyses can be summarized as follows:The employment of new graduates is of vital importance for Japanese enterprises. Nevertheless, there is a mismatching in the education of new graduates. This is due to not only the mismanagement of the higher education system but also to the job search behavior of new graduates and the manner in which enterprises employ and treat them. However, there are flexible adaptation mechanisms which overcome the mismatching are which built into the enterprises. Both Japanese customs of employment and R & D activities that are focused on the introduction of foreign technologies are considered to have contributed to the development of these mechanisms.

View full abstract

Increasingly original technology has become required as a basis of product development in industry. Two major factors were identified which affect the efficiency of original research and its successful commercialization: the maturity of the target product in the market and the competitive power acquired through the research. A "strategic research map" was constructed by combining a "research portfolio", which has these two factors as the X and Y axes, along with the well-known product portfolio. Maturity was expressed in terms of the embryonic and growth phases, the first half of the product life cycle. Competitive power was evaluated using four factors: potential, advantage (comprising precedence in time and excellence in concept), speciality, and advance in research. The map visualizes the present status as well as the target of a research project, permits tracing and prediction of its progress, and represents the distribution of research resources, thus providing researchers, supervisors and managers with a common ground to discuss the strategy and tactics of research and commercialization.

View full abstract