Identification of barriers in the implementation of AMTs in the SMEs of northern India using AHP–TOPSIS approach, Arishu Kaushik and Doordarshi Singh
Arishu Kaushik
Department of Mechanical Engineering
IKGPTU, Kapurthala
India
Email: arishu_kaushik@yahoo.co.in
Doordarshi Singh
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Fatehgarh Sahib
India
DOI: 10.1108/WJSTSD-09-2019-0065
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to find out and highlight the major influential barriers in the implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of Northern India. The major barriers in the implementation of AMTs in manufacturing industries of Northern India have been critically assessed in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach: An ample and reasonable number of small- and medium-scale manufacturing industries of northern India have been surveyed with an aim to find out the barriers in the implementation of AMTs. On the basis of data collected, AHP–TOPSIS method was applied in order to measure the weightage of each barrier in a simple mathematical form.
Findings: High cost of AMTs, lack of appropriate financial resources and current processes or procedures are the major barriers that cause hindrance in the path of implementation of AMTs in SMEs.
Research limitations/implications: This investigation was based on the survey followed by judgments of experts in industry and academia; other approaches such as PROMETHEE, WPM, VIKOR, etc., can be applied for investigation. Also, the study can be carried out in different region(s) and parts of the country.
Practical implications: This paper can be helpful in many ways to the management or industrialists of various nations who are on the same path or will follow soon.
Originality/value: SMEs need to address the findings of this research in order to overcome the barriers and successfully implement the AMTs. A model for successful implementation of AMTs by overcoming the barriers has been suggested.
Keywords: Business improvement; Small and medium enterprises (SMEs); Advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs); Barriers in implementation of AMTs.
Citation: Kaushik, A. and Singh, D. (2020), "Identification of barriers in the implementation of AMTs in the SMEs of northern India using AHP–TOPSIS approach", World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 200-223. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-09-2019-0065
