Analyzing the factors in industrial automation using analytic hierarchy process

Industrial automation (IA) is a major manufacturing strategy which employs modern techniques and practices in manufacturing to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the manufacturing industry. This research aims to categorize Al factors and examine its relative importance for better implementation in manufacturing industries. The relative importance and ranking of Al factors in manufacturing industry was done through a literature review, discussion with experts, and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach. In all, 13 IA factors were identified and further divided into three factor categories. Then their prioritization was done using AHP approach to assign the relative importance of these 13 factors affecting the industrial automation in manufacturing industries. The result will help the manufacturing industry mangers to work upon them based on their relative importance to improve their industrial automation performance. Finally, limitations, managerial implications, and scope of future study are presented at the end of the paper. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.