Corporate Research Laboratories and the History of Innovation

American corporations in the chemical and electrical industries established industrial research laboratories in the early twentieth century, which became world-famous for their scientific and technological breakthroughs and the new union of science and industry. This book uses discourse analysis to uncover the collective meanings associated with the industrial laboratory, such as what and where it is supposed to be, who the scientist is, and what it means to practice science. It analyzes the corporations that established laboratories and their contexts, showing how the industrial laboratory was transformed from an organizational novelty into an expected institution in less than two decades.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 268 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

With the dawn of the 20th century, American corporations in the chemical and electrical industries embarked on a remarkable journey, establishing industrial research laboratories that would go on to make history. These institutions not only revolutionized scientific and technological advancements but also symbolized a new union of science and industry. The genesis of innovative ideas lies in the intricate interplay between corporate capital, technological change, and a cultural context that transcends the boundaries of individual corporations.

In order to unravel the complex tapestry of meanings associated with these early American R&D laboratories, this book employs discourse analysis as a methodological framework. By meticulously examining the organizational field of these laboratories from 1870 to 1930, it sheds light on the collective perceptions and understandings that shaped their development. Meanings such as the location, identity, and practices of scientists played a pivotal role in facilitating the transition of the laboratory from academic science to an industrial setting. These meanings were made accessible and actionable to corporate leaders and organizational entrepreneurs vying for dominance in a rapidly evolving market, thus paving the way for the industrial laboratory's establishment as an expected institution within less than two decades.

This book delves into the narratives of both the corporations that established these laboratories and their broader contexts, encompassing economic, political, and scientific dimensions. It explores how the industrial laboratory evolved from a novel organizational concept to a widely accepted institution, driven by the forces of market competition and technological innovation. By examining the interplay between these factors, the book offers valuable insights into the dynamics of organizational change, discourse studies, technology management, innovation, and business and management history.

Whether you are a researcher, academic, historian, or student interested in these fields, this book will provide a rich and comprehensive exploration of the early American R&D laboratories and their enduring impact on the world of science and industry.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367538408