INNOVATION ADOPTION IN NAVAL SHIP DESIGN

First, two examples showing how the Navy has been slow to adopt innovations are described. Then some factors which hinder rapid adoption of improved technology are cited which are followed by a brief analysis of the causes for the slow adoption rate with recommendations to improve this situation. Those who have attempted to measure innovation in large technology based organizations, such as the Navy, have proposed various correlations such as: percentage of funds spent in R&D relative to total acquisition expenditure; numbers of patents that the organization applied for; the size of Navy Laboratories devoted to R&D; and the number of PhD's on the staffs of Laboratories as well as other similar surrogate measures. However, the record shows that there is little correlation between any of these factors and the rate of adoption of innovations. Inventions, creativity, experimentation, or the number of patents must not be confused with innovation adoption. What counts is the number of worthwhile innovations adopted--something the Navy has been very slow in doing in numerous instances.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00281425
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Naval Engineers

  Suite 507, 1012 14th Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20005
• Authors:
  • Leopold, R
• Publication Date: 1977-12

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 35-42
• Serial:
  • Naval Engineers Journal
  • Volume: 89
  • Issue Number: 6
  • ISSN: 0028-1425

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Decision making; Design; Gas turbines; Ships; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Ship design
• Old TRIS Terms: Roll stabilization
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00172691
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Naval Engineers Journal
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 29 1978 12:00AM