We surveyed 152 U.S.-based executives across a range of industries to understand how they're approaching R&D. Discover what innovation leaders are doing and where gaps exist.
Executive Summary
This in-depth report covers all findings from the TechLink R&D Innovation Performance Study, including:
- Study At a Glance: Quick reference summary of research objectives, methodology, key findings, and recommendations.
- Innovation scope: Companies’ plans and structures for their innovation efforts.
- Innovation characteristics: The types of innovations emerging from companies and the technologies incorporated within them.
- Innovation management: Best practices and performances as products and services are moved from ideation to invention to market.
Dig Deeper
Discover how companies in different industries
and revenue brackets approach R&D, including
industry-specific innovation trends and tactics.
The materials industry — including makers of plastics, rubber, textiles, polymers, ceramics, and wood — plays a key role in innovation across every sector. But materials manufacturers often fall behind other industries in deploying innovation best practices such as company-wide involvement in R&D. Discover how the materials industry innovates compared to other sectors and learn how to enhance your R&D strategy.
Download SummaryThe machinery industry — including manufacturers of industrial equipment and tools — frequently redefine market standards and operational efficiencies. As the backbone of production, machinery industry innovation leaders need to crowdsource multiple perspectives to make product improvements. Machinery R&D strategies are more likely to call on non-R&D departments to inform innovation. But what else do R&D leaders in the machinery industry do differently?
Download SummaryThe electronics industry – including makers of semiconductors, integrated circuits, conductive materials, and electronic components — serves as the backbone of technological advancement for many sectors. And customers are willing to pay higher prices for new devices if they deliver the latest and greatest. To keep up with demand for innovation, the electronics industry is more likely to employ best practices during R&D compared to other industries. Explore the most effective tactics for electronics companies and learn how to enhance your R&D strategy.
Download SummaryThe software industry — including developers of operating systems, applications, and programming tools — stands as the cornerstone of digital innovation across sectors. To keep up with the constantly evolving software landscape, developers are more likely to implement innovation best practices than other industries. Discover the R&D tactics that work for innovative software companies.
Download SummaryThe consumer durables industry — including manufacturers of appliances, furniture, and other household essentials — enables the convenience and comfort in modern living. As such, the industry is highly influenced by its customers and other external entities like suppliers, consultants, and government laboratories. Learn the other R&D best practices most frequently used by consumer durables companies and how to enhance your R&D strategy.
Download SummarySmall businesses are essential to the innovation pipeline. With their agility and willingness to take risks, small businesses shape the future of industries by challenging established norms and sparking competition. But small businesses usually focus on perfecting a core product and are less likely to use R&D best practices to generate ideas for the future. Discover R&D innovation gaps that many small businesses fall prey to and how to avoid them through R&D best practices.
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Large corporations, with their substantial resources and expansive reach, have the capacity to invest heavily in R&D. Large corporations often lead industry-wide initiatives that have far-reaching impacts on global markets. Learn the formula that large corporations follow to enhance R&D strategy and how it differs from small business competitors.
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Study Methodology
What is the TechLink R&D Innovation Performance Study?
The TechLink R&D Innovation Performance Study examines company structures and outcomes for innovation efforts, highlighting best practices and performances as products and services move from ideation to development to market.
Research Objectives
Today’s enterprises must find ways to develop new products and services with tighter budgets and shorter timelines. TechLink’s R&D Innovation Performance Study establishes benchmarks for companies to measure and improve the process of innovation. Our findings can help companies identify gaps in their existing R&D processes and recognize opportunities to improve ideation strategy and execution.
Research Methodology
The R&D Innovation Performance Study surveyed 152 U.S. business leaders in June and July 2022 across a range of industries, levels of experience, and types of businesses. Industries represented include high-tech, software, biomed, manufacturing, aerospace, and defense. Business leaders surveyed hold at least the title of manager, with 18% of respondents identifying as a member of the C-Suite, and 12% identifying as an owner, partner, principal or chairman of the board. Participants span privately-held, employee-owned and publicly owned companies.