<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe internal source par excellence is represented by R&D<\/strong> carried out in the company's laboratories, employing full-time specialised personnel for the purpose of conducting exploratory research at the frontier of knowledge (of the company), or prototype development activities for new products, new processes or production techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOther sources of knowledge within the company are found in different segments of the value chain, such as design, logistics, marketing<\/strong>. One speaks in these cases of 'informal R&D'.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe choice to focus on internal sources occurs when the company needs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- control the 'core' resources of its business, i.e. those resources that contribute most to the creation of value and competitive advantage in the business in which the company operates; <\/li>
- control and want to decide how to direct resources to specific purposes; <\/li>
- limiting competitors' access to the same resources (imitation, using the same resources at the same price,...);<\/li>
- exploit economies of scope, i.e. it may already have knowledge, even if partial, necessary for the development of innovation.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n