Perhaps at no time since the Second World War has there been such an emphasis on the rapid transfer of research findings to development. The 1980s have seen the birth of dozens of research consortia designed to quicken the pace of technological development in the United States. Coming from a wide array of businesses and varied academic institutions, these R&D consortia are seen by many as the answer to the United States' regaining the lead it has lost in technological competitiveness. In The New Alliance: America's R&D Consortia (Ballinger, 1986), Dan Dimancescu and James Botkin describe the workings of 14 such consortia. In this excerpt from the book, they discuss the potential future of these consortia.

"What if …," said [John] Linvill [co-director of Stanford University's Center for Integrated Systems]. "Ask that question in the conclusion of your study." What if these consortia do succeed? What if their numbers continue...

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