The Change of R&D system of Japanese Chemical Corporations in the 1980's Concerning the Case of Polysilicon business in Tokuyama Corporation

Abstract When low growth started since the first oil crises, the importance of the R&D section was re-estimated for a lot of chemical corporations in Japan. A new business isn’t achieved easily if there is no cooperation with R&D. To connect research with product development directly, the R&D section was put in the business section. As a result, the disorganization of Central Research Institute had to be measured. And the ratio of corporate research has decreased, too. In this paper the history of the R&D system of Tokuyama Corp. is analyzed. The existence of a leader who can adopt the best investment is important; Yuuji Fujii, director in the planning division, succeeded polysilicon business. He was both an engineer and a manager, and his standpoint worked effectively. He organized the project team, and this business was completed from the start for three years. Though the process from R&D to a new business is difficult, it is not to be done spending a long time. This is a case shown that the concentration in a short term is good. And it is worth bringing up a lot of talents through forcibly researching, developing and making the business