The adoption of new manufacturing technologies [antikvár]

AcknowledgementsThis study is about cooperation among stakeholders in business firms and their collective efforts to develop the firm's manufacturing technology. At the same time, the study itself is very much the outcome of a collective effort in which I have benefited enormously from the support, advice and constructive criticism of many colleagues, friends, business managers as well as my family. It was not easy for me to get this project under way; but I am finding it equally difficult to end it and find the right words to thank the people who have helped me.The idea for this study came originally from the many discussions and conversations I had in my daily work with business managers as well as from my previous study of technical changes in a major company. Although I was typically confronted with the challenge of providing comprehensive answers to questions concerning general development, it seemed to me that, more often than not, the development issue boiled down to technology. Therefore in this study I set out to try and combine engineering and managerial approaches in order to understand the adoption of new technology in the business context.First of all I want to thank my employer, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, for giving me leave of absence and the opportunity to work on this project. For 18 months I enjoyed the great privilege of being able to work as an independent researcher which I must say can sometimes be a very lonely existence.My warmest thanks are first of all due to the Managing Directors of my two case firms: Markku Koskenniemi at Tammerneon Oy and Mikko Ojala at KMT-Tekniikka Oy. This study would not have been possible if they hadn't allowed me to take up so much of their own and their staff's valuable time.I am very grateful to professor Tauno T. Maki who has helped and supported me ever since I started my university studies 22 years ago. In my research work I have also received the unfailing support of professor Risto Tainio, whom I regard as something of a godfather to me: without his theoretical advice and encouraging criticism this study would never have been completed as an academic dissertation.In my most desperate moments I have always been able to turn to Dr. Aija Ropo for encouragement. She has also shown great patience in reading and re-reading the various drafts of this study. I also owe a debt of gratitude to my prereviewers Dr. laana Woiceshyn and professor Vesa Routamaa for their highly perceptive comments.