10. Conclusion

The RDI function remains crucial to the development of operating margins. This field, like all others, is undergoing rapid change, partly as a result of technological and managerial developments, partly as a result of globalization, and partly as a result of the complexity of 21st century products. However, there are some major underlying trends in these developments. The first is undoubtedly the opening-up of RDI departments. This openness applies both to the outside world, through partnerships, projects and active monitoring, and to the businesses themselves. There are now very few projects that fall within the scope of a single scientific discipline. On the contrary, future products require a wide range of scientific, societal, economic and, in certain key areas of the future such as genetics or robotics, even philosophical skills. The second fundamental trend is the accessibility of...