This volume explores how research and development decisions affect all of us. They are linked inextricably to the performance of firms and of economics as a whole. Their importance means that they are of concern to a large number of practitioners, policy-makers and researchers. This book demonstrates the range of issues and perspectives which R&D can encompass and at the same time brings out the elements which unite them. The papers in this book are organized into three main sections: strategy and organization explores the importance of R&D of the structures and strategies of individual organizations. The emerging "core competence paradigm" is especially noted. "Policy and Performance" looks at what thinking on R&D more generally implies for government policy and the performance of industries, regions and economies. "Disclosure and the Market" examines issues raised by changing regulations on the disclosure of R&D expenditure.