Factors impacting AMT implementation: an integrative and controlled study

Advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) poses tremendous advantages and challenges for organizations. To integrate previous studies of AMT implementation, we investigate how varied operations strategies, organizational cultures, and implementation practices impact performance. Our research design controlled for the type of AMT and examined the timing effects of implementation, enabling a survey of 110 plants that had implemented computerized die/mold machinery over the past 3 years. Results indicate that high-performing plants employ: a strategy that emphasizes quality, delivery, and flexibility over costs a balanced culture that stresses flexibility and control; and systematic practices that facilitate change (training, pilot projects, long-term AMT objectives). Moreover, we find that implementation timing may act as a confounding variable, as plants that had recently implemented AMT outperformed those with older implementations. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.