Engines of Tomorrow: How the World's Best Companies Are Using Their Research Labs to Win the Future

by Robert Buderi

Book Overview

An inside look at the corporate innovation and technological research going on inside IBM, GE, Lucent, Intel, and Microsoft offers profiles of the R&D engines currently operating in some of the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743200225
• ISBN13: 9780743200226
• Release Date: July 2001
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Review of current R & D cases

Buderi explores the recent change of focus in research conducted in the U.S. American research during the 1950s and 60s enjoyed an unprecedented level of funding and latitude in pursuing projects. Basic research was lavishly funded by government agencies and many large corporations built ivory tower research organization that produced Nobel Laureates but not many commercial products. Corporate management has since taken a closer look at the R & D division; cost cutting and downsizing have dramatically changed top managements' perception of R & D. The days of the ivory tower are over and Buderi explores the radical mission changes at many R & D labs across the country. Through interviews with research managers the author gains some valuable information about how these business leaders view R & D, its role within the organization and their style of managing it. The author gives a detailed history of the corporate research division and discusses the attitudes and associated cultures being created at IBM, Siemens, NEC, GE, Bell Labs (Lucent), Xerox, HP, Intel and Microsoft.

Robert Buderi's Engines of Tomorrow - I loved it!

This is a serious and important book about past and current practices in managing research at some of the world's biggest corporations. For those looking for the latest schtick in buzz-wordy advice from some management guru about how to compete in the digital age, this is not for you. Things gets a bit repetitive at times, but the profiles of the programs, projects, and people inside top labs is something you'll find in no other book.

Good book

The author has done a good job in giving a glimpse of people, their academic and Industrial background, who nurtured R & D of NEC, Siemens, IBM, GE, Intel and Microsoft...The author has interviewed a wide spectrum of people involved in cutting edge R & D in these companies...be it pepople from GE securing 5 patents per annum or Noble Laureats taking charge of the R & D labs of the above mentioned Companies...

"Engine" Hits on All Cylinders

This is a significant and comprehensive work that not only tracks the evolution of industrial research but details current practices at some of the world's best labs. I haven't come across any other book about research on this scale - combining history, management and cutting-edge projects. Highly recommended.

An Ominous look into the heart of successful companies

Engines was an easy and informative read. The author has really captured the essence of technology (where it has been and where it is going). A must read for anyone interested in the history and future of technology!