R&D Strategy-Makings in Japanese Large Firms: Evidence from Questionnaire Survey

The paper presents the findings from a questionnaire sent to senior corporate staff members. Some major features of the R&D strategy-makings among Japanese large firms are summarized as follows: (1) Japanese large firms undertake R&D activity, relatively independently of capital market pressures; (2) Recent strategic emphasis of R&D is toward product innovations rather than toward process innovations; (3) Emphasis in the sourcing of new technologies is on in-house development and joint R&D ventures with customers and suppliers. In particular, many of large firms undertake joint research with small- and mediumsized firms; (4) R&D is largely marketing-driven. Firms are concerned with rivals' behavior, but the influences of pressures from rivals may be modest; (5) Firms tend to focus on a limited number of R&D projects; (6) Large firms do not apply all of the new inventions for patents. But, firms place much importance on international patent applications; (7) There are some differences in perception to R&D strategy-makings between technological and administrative respondents, reflecting the difference in viewpoint and responsibility.