Integrating cultures: R&D leaders’ newest task

Article Type: Abstracts From: Development and Learning in Organizations, Volume 24, Issue 1

Maccoby M.Research Technology Management (USA), Jul-Aug 2009, Vol. 52 No. 4, Start page: 57, No. of pages: 4

Purpose – To analyse the culture-based challenges facing managers who are expected to show leadership in integrating technical professionals from different cultures into high-performing teams that achieve innovation in the company’s research and development (R&D) efforts. Design/methodology/approach – The extent to which research/technology leaders are being expected to jump-start the global economy with innovations in areas such as green technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, cloud computing,software as a service (SaaS), and wireless broadband mobility, is discussed. Lists the different types of cultural integration requiring different approaches, including: integrating R&D teams from different countries in the company; working on products and solutions with customers and partners from different companies, government agencies, or universities; organizing professionals from different disciplines to work together on solutions; and leading teams with members from different national cultures.Article Type:ViewpointISSN: 0895-6308Reference: 38AS026

Keywords: Innovation, Leadership, National cultures,Organizations, Product innovation, R&D, Technology-led strategy