First published in 1998, this volume was designed to lead to an operational model of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) decision making which incorporated the mathematics of fuzzy set theory. The rapid advancement of robotics, automated technologies and software such as CAD and CAM have made such studies paramount. Here, analyses of a questionnaire survey and field study of major UK manufacturing companies together provide a simulating portrayal of AMT investment decision making and have been expanded upon with a model using fuzzy set theory.

Magdy G. Abdel-Kader, David Dugdale, Peter Taylor

1. Introduction. 2. A Review of Previous Models for the Evaluation of Investment Decisions in AMT. 3. Empirical Research Design. 4. The Cross-Sectional Survey of UK Investment Decision Making. 5. The Field Study of AMT Investment Decisions in Some Large UK Companies. 6. Fuzzy Set Theory. 7. A Fuzzy Approach to the Evaluation of AMT Investment Projects. 8. Summary and Conclusions.