eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

  • Bookmark and Share

Research & Development

    Research & Development Editor's Picks

    • How Does Research and Development Work?

      Virtually every company that is engaged in manufacturing consumer and business goods uses research and development (R&D). According to Investopedia, the average company spends between 3 and 5 percent of its budget on research and development activities. However, in industries such as pharmaceuticals and software manufacturing,... more »

    • About Research and Development Jobs

      Because most businesses are dependent upon new product development to stay competitive in the marketplace, the occupational outlook for jobs in research and development is excellent. Research and development technicians, scientists and engineers work in a variety of industries and capacities. more »

    • How Does a Research and Development Worker Spend a Workday?

      There are several aspects of the research and development worker's responsibilities. One aspect is research, and the worker may focus on this aspect for several days or weeks at a time, depending on the employer's focus. Because product lines can quickly become outdated with today's fast-moving technology, research may involve market... more »

    • Careers in the Textile Industry

      Professionals in the textile industry work with linen, clothing garments and accessories, as well as with furniture and upholstery. Careers in the industry and cover a broad range of products and services. Jobs include press operators, dry cleaners, tailors, machine setters, shoe repair persons, dye operators, knitters and fashion... more »

    • Research Careers

      Working in research may sound boring to some, but to people who seek out research careers, the jobs available are exciting. They offer intellectual stimulation and allow people to be involved in the newest work in a field. These jobs require patience and persistence, however, as there are not an abundance of research jobs available,... more »

    Research & Development Quick Guides

    • Research & Development Jobs

      Research and development is a massively important part to any business strategy. A team of...

    • Government Grants Guide

      Government grants can help you start a new business, pay for education or even find the cure...

    • Spreadsheets

      Spreadsheets have a variety of uses, all of them important and not at all boring. Whether you're...

    • Textiles Jobs

      Many people work in the textiles industry and may not even know it. Certain types of chemists,...

    Research & Development Articles

    Wikipedia

    Research and development

    The phrase research and development (also R and D or, more often, R&D), according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications" "fn_1">OECD .

    R&D
    New product design and development is more often than not a crucial factor in the survival of a company. In an industry that is fast changing, firms must continually revise their design and range of products. This is necessary due to continuous technology change and development as well as other competitors and the changing preference of customers.
    A system driven by marketing is one that puts the customer needs first, and only produces goods that are known to sell. Market research is carried out, which establishes what is needed. If the development is technology driven then it is a matter of selling what it is possible to make. The product range is developed so that production processes are as efficient as possible and the products are technically superior, hence possessing a natural advantage in the market place.

    R&D has a special economic significance apart from its conventional association with scientific and technological development. R&D investment generally reflects a governments or organizations willingness to forgo current operations or profit to improve future performance or returns, and its abilities to conduct research and development.

    In 2006, the worlds four largest spenders of R&D were the United States (US$343 billion), the EU (US$231 billion), China (US$136 billion), and Japan (US$130 billion). In terms of percentage of GDP, the order of these spenders for 2006 was China (US$115 billion of US$2,668 billion GDP), Japan, United States, EU with approximate percentages of 4.3, 3.2, 2.6, and 1.8 respectively. The top 10 spenders in terms of percentage read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research+and+development

    Related Ads

    Research & Development People & Community

    Connect with people who share your interest by joining one of our Groups:

    Topic Contributors
    Get Free Business Newsletters

    Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

    Demand Media