Industrial Research 



87 



The institute has found that the best means of 

 accompHshing its objects is through periodic meetings 

 at which comnion problems are discussed in an informal 

 manner. Such matters as organization, persomiel 

 management, project selection, scheduling and control, 

 budgeting and accoimting, selling research, university 

 relations to management, suggestion systems and 

 patent procedure are considered. E.xtended studies 

 are frequently made by members of the institute or by 

 its staff on subjects of special interest. Tours of 

 member-company laboratories are often a featui-e of 

 the meetings. The institute meets 3 or 4 times a year. 

 The romid table method of discussion is used to promote 

 informality, and the proceedings are confidential. 



The institute provides practically the only source of 

 up-to-date information on the organization, manage- 

 ment, and policy problems of mdustrial research 

 organizations. Tlirough its programs and the close 

 personal associations made possible by its meetings, 

 the members gain help in solvmg current problems, 

 confirm their present procedures, or leam better ways 

 of doing the job. This exchange of information and 

 experience directly leads to more efficient operation of 

 research organizations and consequently to better and 



more tangible results in shorter periods of time and at 

 less cost. These results in turn mean that research 

 activities are more fruitful and timely and hence 

 financial returns are realized more quickly than would 

 be the case otherwise. 



The processes, methods and materials used success- 

 fully in one industry' may often be adopted satisfactorily 

 in an industiy of quite different characteristics. The 

 institute provides its members with an opportunity to 

 learn of such possibilities as it is made up of a variety 

 of industries whose representatives confer frankly with 

 each other. 



Activity in the institute is also a constant soiu'ce of 

 encouragement and inspiration to the members in the 

 better conduct of their jobs, gained from association 

 with other men of attainment, responsibility and 

 broad vision. 



Bibliography 



Holland, Maurice. Industrial research institute. Science, 87, 



324 (1938). 

 Weidlein, E. R. Progress through cooperation; history and 



development of laminated safety glass. Industrial and 



Engineering Chemistry, SI, 563 (1939). 



