Genesis and development of research and development (R&D) activity in the e-services sector – research results

Abstract

As a result of pilot studies, it was noted that most enterprises in the ICT industry in Lower Silesia do not have separate departments/companies responsible for research and development (76%). The authors decided to find the reasons for this state of affairs by selecting a pilot study on SISMS Sp. z o.o and ZPAS S.A. The issue of research and development (R&D) activities of ICT enterprises is, in the opinion of the authors, an important and current element of innovative activity, which should have an mpact on the attractiveness and competitiveness of each enterprise. For this reason, the main goal of the paper is to try to identify the reasons for the creation, scope of action and determine the consequences of the formally separated research and development activity of an enterprise operating in the ICT industry. The results from the conducted study provide interesting conclusions: firstly, the main reason for the separation of the R&D department was the requirement for a competition for EU funding, otherwise the activity would not be separated in the organizational structure; secondly, the R&D department’s activity increases the attractiveness of the company from the recruitment perspective as an attractive employer and clients perspective, because the R&D activity will provide them with new values in the form of new improved products/services of the company. In turn, in the opinion of the management board of SISMS Sp. zoo. and ZPAS S.A., the purpose of R&D activity should create new or significantly improved products that will provide the company with new revenues and increase its competitiveness.