84 



National Resources Planning Board 



sclf-sufliciciit in its own field of tcchnolofry, the small 

 compan}- must turn from time to time to consultants, 

 private laboratories, and technical institutions for new 

 knowledge, new developments, and advice on the 

 application of allied tcclmology to their immediate 

 problems. An even greater teclmical resource is found 

 in cooperative research or the informal exchange of 

 infonnation between their engineers and those of non- 

 competitors, supphers of material or special apparatus, 

 and manufacturers of process equipment. Participa- 

 tion in professional-society activities and resort to 



current technical literature appear to be most fruitful 

 avenues for the small company to profit from the 

 research of others. 



Thus, research is in reality a triple resource to the 

 small company. It acquires new technical facility 

 from research conducted by outside agencies or allied 

 industry; through its own organized fact finding it 

 creates its specialized teclmical field; and by catermg 

 to the requirements of its customers it renders a 

 unique teclmical service to industry and the 

 community. 



