Title: The diffusion of a manufacturing innovation: the case of JIT and MRPII

Authors: Julian Lowe, A.B. Sim

Addresses: Bristol Business School (UWE), Coldharbour Lane, Frenchay, Bristol, BS16 lQY, UK. ' University of Wollongong, Dept. of Management, PO Box 1144, Wollongong, NSW 21500, Australia.

Abstract: This paper examines the factors influencing the adoption, timing of adoption and implementation issues of manufacturing innovations (JIT and MRPII, in particular) in the context of Australian manufacturing industry. The sample study indicated a slow rate of diffusion of such innovations which were already in the public domain in spite of the demonstrated benefit of these innovations both in Australia and overseas. Whilst there was no clear evidence of competitive pressures and firm size affecting the rate of and distribution of adoption, the timing of entry seemed to be important for both the motivation and outcome of adoption. Generally, however, in spite of the major strategic outcome from adoption, few firms seemed to treat the innovations as major strategic decisions.

Keywords: Australia; innovation diffusion; process innovation; manufacturing innovation; JIT; MRPII; just-in-time; technology management; manufacturing resource planning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1993.025773

International Journal of Technology Management, 1993 Vol.8 No.3/4/5, pp.244 - 258

Published online: 24 May 2009 *

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