Why did companies have to weigh continued bubble memory research against other uses for research and development funds?

In the context of business research and development, companies had to weigh continued bubble memory research against other priorities because of the significant challenges involved in transitioning from technical feasibility to cost-effective manufacturing.1

While bubble memory was proven to work reliably, developing the design and production specifications required to manufacture these units at competitive costs proved to be an exceptionally difficult task. By the mid-1980s, these devices had captured only a minuscule share of the memory market. Consequently, R&D organizations faced a critical decision: they had to balance the ongoing expense of investment against the potential consequences of withdrawing from the project.1

Making this determination required a deep understanding of the company's specific priorities, a grasp of the technical hurdles, and a keen sense of the market to evaluate whether the funds could be more profitably employed in alternative projects. Ultimately, effective R&D management relies on selecting initiatives that promise to utilize available financial and human resources in the most profitable manner.1