Published in:
Integrated Manufacturing Systems, 12 (2001) 1, Seite 15-34
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1108/09576060110361519
ISSN:
0957-6061
Origination:
Footnote:
Description:
This paper presents the results of a survey of South African manufacturers that examined their planning and implementation activities relating to advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) investments. Data were collected by means of a postal questionnaire survey to which 84 companies responded to questions regarding their largest AMT investment in the last three years. The analysis is structured on a process model of adoption of AMT comprising three stages: motivation and idea generation for AMT; AMT proposal evaluation; and AMT implementation. The paper presents results relating to formulation of strategies; nature and size of AMT investments; sources of AMT investment ideas and forces motivating AMT investments; AMT proposal development; training in AMT and production management; AMT proposal evaluation; planning and implementation time periods and benefits and risks/difficulties. These dimensions are evaluated across dimensions of company size, types of AMT, and type of production system.