THE ORGANIZATION OF SHIPBUILDING RESEARCH ABOARD AND IN THE UNITED STATES

This report presents a survey of shipbuilding research associations in Europe and Japan and a qualitative evaluation of their effectiveness. It is shown that effectiveness is not directly related to financial outlay but depends greatly on organization and on the relationship between the research association and industry. The organization of U.S. shipbuilding industry is then surveyed and research needs outlined on the basis of shipyard interviews and a questionnaire. General agreement is reported on the importance of research on production-oriented design and on production methods and facilities. The authors recommend that high priority be given also to management techniques and to personnel motivation and training. It is concluded that, since the recent inauguration of a MarAd/SNAME research program, U.S. shipbuilding research is now comparable to or greater in scope and volume than the most extensive programs abroad. Although a strong central coordinating body, representing industry as well as government, is characteristic of foreign shipbuilding research organizations, this country has developed its program through informal cooperation among industry, government, and the Ship Production Committee, SNAME. It is recommended that the present cooperative shipbuilding research program in the U.S. be strengthened by creating a senior central group or Shipbuilders' Research Association to work with R & D sponsors, to be responsible for planning and organizing shipyard research, to improve cohesion and coordination, and to perform contracting and expediting functions as needed.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Report prepared by Webb Institute for the National Maritime Research Center, Kings Point.
• Corporate Authors:

  Webb Institute of Naval Architecture

  Glen Cove, NY  United States 
• Authors:
  • MACK-FORLIST, D M
  • Lewis, E V
• Publication Date: 1973-4

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 82 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Productivity; Research; Research management; Shipbuilding; Shipyards; Surveys
• Old TRIS Terms: R and d priorities; Shipyard survey
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Marine Transportation; Research;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00047685
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: United States Merchant Marine Academy
• Report/Paper Numbers: NMRC KP-106
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 31 1973 12:00AM