RESEARCH
Investing in research allows companies to produce higher quality products. High quality products are sold faster in retail allowing higher profit.
You may have noticed "stars" next to the products on the market. These determine the quality level of the resource. By default, you can manufacture quality 0 (Q0), by investing into research, you can get manufacture capability up to higher levels.
RESEARCH UNITS AND PATENTS
To invest in research you need to get so called research units. Depending on the industry you want to get higher quality level in, you need to get the right research units. Go to the RESEARCH screen to see what research units are needed for which products. You can obtain research units either by getting a laboratory building, or buying them from other players.