DEVELOPMENT OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH PROGRAMS

High-technology goals require the focusing of varied skills on chosen targets; thus, the need for a multidisciplinary attack on most modern research and development program is obvious. The multidisciplinary approach means the mixing and coordination of ideas and capabilities derived from a variety of professional backgrounds. The barrier of the organization chart must be overcome. Because organization charts define boundaries of responsibility and lines of authority, they complicate the process by which ideas flow from one segment of the organization to the other, with deadening effects on multidisciplinary cooperation. Although each of the institute's operating divisions has its greatest strengths in certain disciplines, we encourage creative thinking that leads to entry into new fields. The institute structure is designed to combine the advantages of line responsibility that reside with our vice president with the benefits that come from multidisciplinary, multidivision collaboration. Although not without difficulty, we manage to achieve an effective balance between the two. (Author)

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1979/738/738-013.pdf
• Summary URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=DEVELOPMENT+OF+MULTIDISCIPLINARY+RESEARCH+PROGRAMS&author=M.+Goland&publication_year=1979
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309029937
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Conduct of Research. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Goland, Martin
• Conference:
  • 58th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia, United States
  • Date: 1979-1-15 to 1979-1-19
• Publication Date: 1979

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: pp 42-44
• Monograph Title: Technology Transfer, the Research Process, and Creating a Productive Environment
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 738
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefits; Development; Research; Technology; Transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Research and development
• Old TRIS Terms: Transportation research
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Research; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00315346
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309029937
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Sep 16 1980 12:00AM