National systems of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT): hierarchical classification scheme and policy formulation process

Abstract Advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) is characterized by its complexity and diversity in terms of technical profiles and participating actors. Thus, the successful implementation of AMT necessitates the hierarchical coherence of national policy whereby industrial policy, development policy and utilization policy are consistently and interactively linked. Borrowing the notion of national systems of innovation, this paper introduces the notion of national system of AMT and describes the systematic procedure to develop the national AMT policy. In doing that, hierarchical classification schemes are proposed as the building block for step-wise policy formulation. It is highlighted that the criteria of classification schemes differ considerably and, consequently, different policy implications are drawn depending on the position in the national system. A three-stage policy making process is suggested in which industrial system, technology system and utilization system of AMT are formulated in a hierarchical and interactive manner.