WHY DO WE STILL NOT APPLY WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT MANAGING R&D PERSONNEL?

The question of why laboratory managers are not applying what they know concerning the management of R&D personnel is considered. Some of the unique features of an R &D environment that affect the ability of a manager to manage researchers properly include: 1. the uncertainty associated with R &D activities, 2. the difficulty of assessing the contribution or impact of research results on the firm or on the advancement of science/technology in general, 3. the rapid changes in science and technology that result in an ongoing battle to stave off technological obsolescence in both people and equipment, and 4. the values, expectations and attitudes of research scientists and engineers are in many aspects different from those of other professionals. Specific motivating actions that R&D managers can take are also discussed, including: 1. allowing scientists the freedom and autonomy to make operational decisions about their work, and 2. providing adequate resources in terms of money, equipment, people and time. Reasons for the gap between knowledge and application are examined.