Identification of barriers in the implementation of AMTs in the SMEs of northern India using AHP–TOPSIS approach

Abstract

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.

Reckoning with the barriers to Lean implementation in Northern Indian SMEs using the AHP-TOPSIS approach

“…In the next step, barriers were arranged according to their score from low to high to highlight their relative effect on implementation of Lean in SMEs. Based upon the above mean scores, nine most influential barriers to Lean implementation in SMEs were selected for further analysis through AHP-TOPSIS approach displayed in Figure 5 and Table 3 (Kaushik and Singh, 2019; Singh et al , 2013). Table 4 further depicts that these barriers are written in abbreviated forms for analyzing purposes.…”

“…Before applying the AHP, nine influential barriers were chosen on the basis of the score obtained by them depending on the feedback given by experts in the industry (Kaushik and Singh, 2019). However, there were variations in the mean score given by the respondents according to their product and the circumstances prevailing in the industry.…”