ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the design, execution and major findings of that study and provides the context of the cases which follow. The sample of firms in the wider study was drawn from the population manufacturing and marketing electrical and electronic test, measurement and control instruments in the UK under Standard Industrial Classification category 3442. Important and statistically significant differences in achievement were found between the eight firms categorised by industry experts as being innovative, that is to say, active and experienced and the eight other firms. This is an interesting result because it lends support to the research approach used in the investigation. In the innovative firms high levels of specialisation during implementation reflect the involvement of a wide range of functions in product development proper, test marketing and launching. In these firms measurement of hidden structures revealed a highly organised approach to tasks which are closely watched over and controlled by top management.
