[Celtman]

Aside from the risk factor, the real problem is that research usually benefits someone other than the person funding it -- that's just the nature of research.

      Indeed.  Another problem is that any benefits from research are long term; research has a negative impact on the current quarter's bottom line, and American business has become seriously short sighted.

[HolgerDansk]

Real research takes years, has unpredictable results, and often tells you things that you don't want to hear. In short, it's the antithesis of the "Process-Excellence" theme currently popular with US business school graduates.

Cutting your research budget, then hoping that somebody else will come up with your next product is like holding your breath underwater in the hopes of evolving gills.