ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an empirical example of research and development (R&D) in German automobile components supply companies that perform R&D for electronic components and systems, and produce parts and modules as well. R&D engineers in automobile components supply companies must have specific skills in order to calculate and draft designs as well as be able to use computer aided design programmes; this means that the actors in a company know the rules that are important for R&D and are able to apply the rules within a specific context. The automobile industry is a very important sector of the German economy. Labour costs are not the only factor in international competition; good quality is another, which according to the shared vision of the company’s management, can be developed only by employees who are highly motivated. Management can treat instrumental skills in the R&D-process as a type of ‘commodity’.
