Intangible assets as determinants of advanced manufacturing technology adoption in SME's: toward an evolutionary model

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between intangible assets and further advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) adoption in 116 small manufacturing firms. Results indicate that the technical skills of blue-collar workers, the influence of customers and vendors, and strategic motivations focused on process improvement and customers are the strongest determinants of subsequent levels of adoption. Further, it is shown that strategic motivations moderate the relationships between technical skills and influences and further AMT adoption. Preliminary support for an evolutionary model is also found, leading to a revised conceptual framework.