Strategic planning and research and development—Can we integrate them?

The main problem affecting the R & D function has always been caused by its lack of integration with the enterprise. Such a problem makes it difficult to pass from invention to innovation—that is, to turn the invention into processes and products to be exchanged on the market. The author points out the main social and organizational problems which prevent R & D from entering the ‘circulatory system’ of the enterprise. The identification of such problems is important in order to set up and to implement innovative strategies. This is the first of two articles by Professor Petroni on this subject. The second article will appear in April 1983.