National systems of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT): hierarchical classification scheme and policy formulation process

Advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) is characterized by its complexity and diversity in terms of technical profiles and participating actors. Thus , the successful implementation of AMT necessitates the hierarchical cohere nce of national policy whereby industrial policy, development policy and ut ilization policy are consistently and interactively linked. Borrowing the n otion of national systems of innovation, this paper introduces the notion o f national system of AMT and describes the systematic procedure to develop the national AMT policy. In doing that, hierarchical classification schemes are proposed as the building block for stepwise policy formulation. It is highlighted that the criteria of classification schemes differ considerably and, consequently, different policy implications are drawn depending on th e position in the national system. A three-stage policy making process is s uggested in which industrial system, technology system and utilization syst em of AMT are formulated in a hierarchical and interactive manner. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.