Achieving the potential benefits of advanced manufacturing technology-a study of Swedish metal working companies

The old production paradigm of mass production has long given way to a new one based upon more flexible and advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) and organizational arrangements with a different basis for competition. Implementing AMT is, however, often associated with problems and does not always lead to success in organizations-truly excellent performance most likely requires something above and beyond solitary investments in AMT. The objective of this paper is to examine the importance of strategic orientation and uncertainty, organizational and human issues, and preventive maintenance for achieving the potential benefits of AMT