HOW INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES USE RESEARCH TEAMS

Various models for using basic research have been practiced over the y ears. These include interactive beams, in which representatives from d ifferent disciplines meet and plan for product development and introdu ctions; supplier-processor teams in which suppliers serve on interacti ve teams as representatives of basic research and/or development; form alized cross-functional teams in which members of the teams are actual ly evaluated by team leaders; and the old-fashioned water-cooler gang that informally discusses difficulties and finds informal solutions.