Stimuli for Knowledge and Understanding on a Subject and Development - Article Example

Stimuli for Knowledge and Understanding on a Subject and DevelopmentResearch and development refer to the process of obtaining new knowledge and putting it into practical applications to prove its feasibility. Research falls into two classes, namely basic and applied. Companies venture into basic research to gain more knowledge and understanding on a subject of study. Applied research is more result-oriented. It seeks to gain useful knowledge whose application is possible. Applied research addresses specific objectives that have commercial value to the organization.

Development is the application of the results obtained from research to produce new products. Development denotes the improved state of human life due to access to better products and relevant information. Any form of development comes with societal enhancement.The necessity of development cannot receive underestimation. As the 21st century unfolds, human beings need more effective, faster, and reliable devices and programs in information technology. The world is turning around. Companies need automated machinery to increase production.

There is need for new products and research and development will produce results that can address these needs. Due to the presence of need in society for new machines, programs and processes, there is a guaranteed demand for the new products. In response to these needs, most companies are setting up research and development projects. They analyze the needs of society and then seek to establish new knowledge. After research, knowledge application follows. In this aspect, development results from a pull from the market.

It aims at addressing the needs of the customer. For example, LinkedIn developed the grammar checker to address the need of students and writers in correcting their grammatical errors in writing.Innovation is a key driver to development in recent times. Each typical day comes with new ideas. The application of these ideas will lead to an improvement in the existing processes and products (Gallouj, 2010). Companies add value to their goods and services through extensive innovation. Due to innovation, production is higher, faster, and safer.

Goods and services give the client more utility. The future will have markedly more implications of an advancing society. Researchers work relentlessly to come up with new and viable ideas. There are new programs in the market today resulting from innovation. These programs are changing the lives of people by making their tasks easier.The success of any form of innovation depends on the originators and the eventual users. Some innovations receive no ready market at first. The inventors must market intensively for the product to give rise to demand in the market.

The story of the laser is a classical example (Rosenberg, 2004). At its invention, the laser did not have a high demand because of its limited applications at that time. However, users trying out the new product in the subsequent years came up with amazing ideas on then use of the laser. In a short time, the laser had a high demand. Although it appeared as a mere scientific fascination at first, today it presents its users with great utility in business and the information technology sector. The innovation of the laser applied the push factor.

There was a new product in the market but demand was lacking. Through research and innovation, the laser became a critical product changing the picture of many aspects in the business world.Research and development are critical processes in driving the economy of any nation. The impetus for research and development depends on several factors. These factors include the existence of needs giving rise to demand, competition, and technological innovation. The rising competition has given rise to extensive innovation in all aspects of life.

Demand is a pull factor to research and development as it gives rise to new products to satisfy the emerging needs. Although some innovations happen without ready demand, with time, they fetch a high demand (Rosenberg, 2004).ReferencesGallouj, F. (2010). The handbook of innovation and services: a multi-disciplinary perspective. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.Rosenberg, N. (2004). INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH. Retrieved on February 13, 2012 from http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/55/49/34267902.pdf