17.6. GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES ON INNOVATION

We are finding that many of our competitors, especially in Japan and Germany, are able to go through each turn of the innovation cycle more quickly than their competitors in the United States. As one would expect, it takes only a few turns for the company with the shortest cycle time to build up a commanding lead in terms of productivity and the latest technology in the product. Strategies that allow a company to shorten the innovation cycle inevitably make them more competitive so they can be leaders in the global market.

Many Europeans, on the other hand, feel that Americans are better than they are at adapting and exploiting technology and that there is a good working relationship between the university ...

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