Critical Success Factors Influencing the Performance of Research and Development Projects

Abstract

Research and experimental development (R&D) management plays critical role in business planning as technologies outdate faster. Investments done in this area draw more attention as well as expectations to have successful results. The purpose of this thesis is to figure out what critical factors could be important to define a good policy on R&D: ¿Which are the appropriate indicators to measure R&D success and performance? This study conducts a numerical analysis (factorial analysis, correlations, and linear regressions) using CIS6 data, focusing on Austrian companies that performed their innovations in the period between 2004 and 2006. Results point out that company size is significant and positively related to R&D performance. Furthermore, investments in intramural and extramural R&D positively correlate with the cooperation and patenting activities of a firm. This in turn indicates that R&D investments are positively related to R&D success.