future direction of R&D : e-R&D

Abstract

e-R&D is the computerization of R&D process. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) obviously play important roles in all the aspects of the innovation process. Moreover, consistently developing ICTs into stimulating new forms of R&D possible, which was unthinkable through the past forms of ICTs. This paper has been conducted over e-R&D with the review of the conventional pharmaceuticals, Linux after internet, and the newly emerging three applications on the Grid. From the cases, e-R&D patterns could be analyzed as follows : Firstly, knowledge source is diversified globally and agent types are also various. Secondly, the cycle of product development time is massively reduced. Thirdly, the implementation of virtual environment through the simulation reduce resource investment and is possible to share resources more easily and variously. Fourthly, The concurrency of the creation, sharing, and codification of knowledge among actors enables cumulative and collaborative learning with shortening the cycle. Fifthly, knowledge codification and modularization are so useful in managing very large-scale knowledge base efficiently.