Supplier partnerships for effective advanced manufacturing technology implementation: a proposed model

Discusses a proposed model which presents various possible modes of behaviour during the implementation of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) and highlighting different interaction approaches between suppliers and users of technological innovation. Presents three models of interaction processes covering different technological settings and argues for their limited applicability in the context of AMT innovation. Discusses the proposed model and its applicability to a wide range of organisational settings and covering different types of technological systems of varying degrees of complexity. The model is based on a comprehensive research project. This is based on empirical evidence originating from the study of 30 organisations representing ten suppliers and 20 users. By scrutinising the various modes of interaction during the implementation of various technological innovations, various key factors have been highlighted, which are thought to be influential in the degree of success or otherwise for the implementation of AMT. In all, seven different types of innovation were scrutinised, including: plastics injection moulding machines; CNC machines; computerised information systems; flexible manufacturing systems; material handling and supply; CADCAM; automated control systems.