Theorizing about technological development of manufacturing companies: - a critique of the AMT construct as basis for research

The aim of the paper is to apply metatriangulation and theory building to strengthen our theorizing on technological development of manufacturing firms. AMT literature is reviewed and by means of bracketing, the paper identifies a set of problematic assumptions embedded within traditional AMT research. A case study is used to emphasize how a process perspective enriches the traditional structural perspective. Finally, through first attempts at theory building, a set of propositions is suggested in order to overcome long-standing problems found in AMT research.