| This qualitative, descriptive, and hypothesis-generating dissertation analyzes 30 award-winning technical innovations for factors related to government-supported research and development (R&D) success. Each innovation won the prestigious R&D 100 Award and represents the creative work of scientists, engineers, technicians, and managers in government-supported R&D.; Since the 1960s, empirical studies have linked specific economic, physical, psychological, social, and technical factors with success in R&D. However, many of these studies have been criticized for their lack of depth or breadth. Most surveyed only industrial R&D, examined a small number of factors, were conducted through written questionnaires, or did not otherwise account for the overall R&D context. Project management literature suggests that R&D success-factor correlations are also case, technology, and sector dependent. Therefore, it is unclear what factors are associated with success in government-supported R&D.; For this study, on-site interviews were conducted at 11 government R&D facilities with the persons responsible for each award-winning innovation. The interviews confirmed management-related details: budgets, sponsors, partners, contracts, personnel, collaboration, and support. Open-ended questions elicited information not previously captured. Initial analyses identified 17 government-specific R&D success factors. Subsequently, the 30 innovations and their corresponding responses were divided into eight R&D Types, based on the Balachandra-Friar Contextual Framework. Each R&D Type embodies a unique combination of three variables: innovation (incremental or radical), technology (low or high), and market (existing or new).; When compared within and between R&D Types, the responses formed distinct success-factor patterns. For example, three of the 17 government-specific R&D success factors, Expertise, Tenacity, and Partners, are important in all eight R&D Types, but each is the top factor in only one R&D Type. Five of the other 17 factors, Funding, Great Idea, Practicality, Facilities, and Nurturing, each dominate one of the remaining R&D Types. These and other patterns may be useful in predicting success for government-supported R&D or indicating strategies whose incorporation in future projects will increase the likelihood of success. Implications for science and technology policymakers, R&D sponsors, and technical managers are introduced, as well as hypotheses, and suggestions for future research. |
