Decision Sciences Journal
Volume 30, Number 4
Fall 1999
Information Systems Adaptation and the Successful Implementation
of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
Markham T. Frohlich
London Business School, Sussex Place, Regents Park, London, NW1
4SA UK,
email: mfrohlich@london.edu
J. Robb Dixon
School of Management, Boston University, 595 Commonwealth Avenue,
Boston, MA 02215, email: jrdixon@bu.edu
ABSTRACT. Few plants have initial success with advanced
manufacturing technologies (AMTs), and adaptations are commonly
required after installing new technologies. We especially know
little about the outcomes of adaptations that manufacturers regularly
employ in the context of AMTs. Sociotechnical theory and the
technology literature suggest that AMTs commonly require four
types of adaptations including those to process technologies,
human resources, operational structures, and information systems.
This study investigates which of these four adaptations and their
interactions lead to improved operational performance. Data were
collected on 104 plants that implemented a single type of manufacturing
AMT. Findings indicate that information systems (IS) adaptation
during the course of AMT implementation was the most important
action. Surprisingly, human resource and process technology adaptations
were linked to lower performance, and no interactions had any
clear effects. The results also show that practitioners underestimated
the relevance of IS adaptations during contemporary or “second-generation”
AMT implementation projects and overemphasized the need for shop
floor changes.
Subject Areas: IS Implementation, Management Information
Systems, Manufacturing Technology, and Survey Research/Design. |