Performance in internationally dispersed research and development units

Abstract

Among internationally dispersed research and development units, quality of communication predicts performance while quantity of communication does not; higher levels of power decentralization can lead to a decrement in organizational performance; and development units are more able to meet their planned goals than research units, although insisting on tight management towards goals may hinder research performance relative to competitors. The data are consistent with models which propose that there is an optimal level of decentralization which is difficult for organizations to identify and maintain.