From monopoly to competition: long-term research is vulnerable

The question of whether there is any fundamental difference, around the world, between the research and development in government-regulated monopolies and in private companies is addressed by examining three major corporate restructurings in the last decade: the breakup of the Bell System (AT&T Co.) in the United States, and the privatization of the United Kingdom's British Telecommunications in 1984, followed the next year by the privatization of Japan's Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corp. (NTT). Particular attention is given to the effect of restructuring on R&D. Changes in business strategy are also discussed.<
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