Issue 4, 2005

Mowery D. C. The Relationship between Intrafirm and Contractual Forms of Industrial Research in American Manufacturing, 1900–1940

The paper investigates the reasons for the intrafirm location of the industrial research function by examining the role of independent research organizations and the relationship between in-house and contract research during the early years of industrial research in American manufacturing. A new body of archival data is used in an analysis. The extent to which in-house and contract research functioned as complements or substitutes, the types of research performed on a contractual basis, and the relationship between firm size and the integration of the research function into the firm are the central topics of concern.

<< Contents: Issue 4, 2005
<< Go to archive