Capacitating Research and Development Managers in the Food Manufacturing Industry for Enhanced Management

Abstract

This study investigated the gaps that exist in the organizational structure and professional skill sets of research and development teams in the food manufacturing sector in the Philippines. The study focused on R&D managers whose roles and responsibilities have shifted to meet the growing demands of industrialization and globalization. R&D managers not only have to manage a more diverse team of equals but also lead from within a hierarchy that defies both the vertical and horizontal structures of conventional organizations. In this research, three broad foci within which R&D managers operated were identified. Moreover, their needs in professional skills and competencies were examined, namely, 1) core skills for innovation management, such as leadership and knowledge management; 2) obstacles to skill development, including scant resources and faulty organizational culture; and 3) professional development opportunities. Finally, the research analyzed opportunities for enhancing critical thinking, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement to strengthen R&D managers' innovation leadership competency. These results highlighted the necessity for strategic interventions, such as leadership development and the transformation of organizational culture, to close these gaps and enhance the overall management of innovation in food manufacturing.