1 Advanced Manufacturing Technologies in SMEs

Small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the industrialization process of many developed countries and play a crucial role in increasing a country's economy. To be able to survive and grow, SMEs must adopt strategic technologies and innovative management practices to survive. A study on the implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) in SMEs in Malaysia, however, showed that the companies were more concerned with short-term gains, rather than the strategic benefits offered by AMTs. The lack of an organic structure, the lack of understanding of technologies, the inadequate levels of skilled workers and engineers and the culture of the industries are factors that will hinder SMEs from achieving the strategic benefits of AMT and adopting innovative management practices