Question

In regards to R&D projects, do you think the issues they are having are fixable without a large organization change?

Answer 1

In regards to R&D projects, I strongly believe that the issues they are having are not fixable without a large organization change. Organizational change might involve changes in the company’s structure, policies and procedures, strategies, technology, culture, globalization, workplace demographics, etc. These include years of planning which involves extensive changes in the whole organization. An organizational change is considered only if the issues need immediate attention to meet the conditions of external and internal environment. For example, if the workplace demographics have a major percentage of Baby Boomers, then the organizational change might be initiated to rope in more Millennial to replace retiring Baby Boomers. Hence, organizational change initiatives might be brought in the form of policies and procedures in the hiring process. This initiative is implemented only after careful consideration of the employee structure and efficient HR inputs on the existing workforce.

For R&D projects, though it is possible to fix the issues without large organizational change, major part of the R&D projects require large organizational change. R&D projects and its operations between different industries require a large organizational change. Examples are- electronics and software industry, electrical and machinery, etc

In brief, large organizational change are required for R&D projects in the following conditions-

- Transition from function to project integration

- Riskier projects require great corporate control

- Higher localization led to more cost allocation to regional R&D.

- Global networks requiring R&D units

- Market orientation and to meet customer demands

- Managing human resources and expertise for R&D units, etc

Thus, it is pertinent to say that issues that the R&D teams are having are not fixable without large organizational change. It does require extensive organizational change to be strategic and successful.

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