An empirical analysis of the application of the advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) in China

This paper reports on the level of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) application in China through an empirical study, and attempts to explore the level to which AMT is currently being applied by manufacturing firms in China. To achieve this, we investigate AMT practices in manufacturing plants in the typical industrial districts of China by using survey responses from 31 manufacturing firms in China, and then we analyze the complex relationships between core competence, AMT and size. Based on an extensive review of the AMT application literatures, a new set of indexes on the level of AMT application is produced. Finally, by the statistical analysis of the questionnaires, the empirical results are found: (1) In China, the level of AMT application is the basis of core competence for the manufacturing firms, and the relationship between them is positive. The level of AMT application in China is in a preliminary stage. (2) In China, the low cost of labor force may decrease the drive of requirement of AMT application and block the development of AMT in some degree.