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Experimenting in the Unknown: Lessons from The Manhattan Project

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Gillier

    (EESC-GEM Grenoble Ecole de Management)

  • Sylvain Lenfle

    (LIRSA - Laboratoire interdisciplinaire de recherche en sciences de l'action - CNAM - Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers [CNAM], X - École polytechnique - IP Paris - Institut Polytechnique de Paris)

Abstract

Experimentation is paramount to innovation. In fact, innovation scholars and practitioners have espoused Thomke's (2003) book titled Experimentation matters: Unlocking the potential of new technologies for innovation. Unfortunately, companies still experience considerable technical and managerial difficulties with organizing experiments under high uncertainty. This study confronts Thomke's experimentation principles with a high uncertainty context by examining experiments conducted by The Manhattan Project from 1943–1945, the initiative that created the first implosion‐type fission bomb. Findings suggest that lack of theoretical knowledge, a crisis of scientific instruments, and absence of pre‐established organizations were critical to such highly uncertain experimentation. We conclude with a discussion of the boundary conditions of Thomke's experimentation principles. Finally, we propose five principles for facilitating the management of experimentation in the unknown.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Gillier & Sylvain Lenfle, 2018. "Experimenting in the Unknown: Lessons from The Manhattan Project," Grenoble Ecole de Management (Post-Print) hal-01808003, HAL.
  • Handle: RePEc:hal:gemptp:hal-01808003
    DOI: 10.1111/emre.12187
    as

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Agathe Gilain & Pascal Le Masson & Benoit Weil, 2018. "Managing Learning Curves In The Unknown: From ‘Learning By Doing’ To ‘Learning By Designing’," Post-Print hal-01900961, HAL.
    2. Armand Hatchuel & Pascal Le Masson & Benoit Weil, 2022. "Covid-19, l' expert et le politique face à l'inconnu : deux responsabilités à repenser," Post-Print hal-03805143, HAL.
    3. Maria Elmquist & Annabelle Gawer & Pascal Le Masson, 2019. "Innovation Theory and the (Re‐)foundation of Management: Facing the Unknown," Post-Print hal-02291545, HAL.

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