Recognition and Use of Automation: A Comparison of Small and Large Manufacturers

Programmable automation (PA) is emerging as a focal point of efforts to address the economic problems of industrialized nations and re-establish the prominence of manufacturing firms. Although PA has received considerable attention from large manufacturing firms, there seems to be little information as to how small manufacturing companies perceive this new technology. Understanding the attitude of these companies is essential for marketing, implementing and managing the technology, particularly for smaller manufacturers (who are now recognized as one of Canada's primary sources of new employment). In this paper, we report on a survey conducted recently on small manufacturing firms in Ontario, and compare the possible differences in recognition of the technology between small and large manufacturing firms.