Automation technology adoption at San Miguel Corporation-Polo Brewery : a technology assessment / Alvin P. Balintec

Year : 2007

Number of Pages : 27 leaves

Adviser : Prof. Glen A. Imbang

Executive Summary

The adoption of technology in organizations is not an easy task. Companies can gain competitive advantage by using certain technologies. But others fail to achieve these benefits even if they have used the same technology that their competitors are using. A successful adoption of technology is not only a question of the appropriate technology. Other factors include the competence of the workforce, the technology suppliers themselves, and organizational culture and policies. The components of the organization also play a crucial role in integrating the technology to the business process of the company. The technology adoption project of San Miguel Corporation-Polo Brewery entitled, Enhancement of the Existing Inspection System at High Speed Line 1&2, involved the acquisition of camera-type inspection system for both empty and filled bottles. The study focused on the Filled Bottle Inspectors that replaced the labor-intensive manual inspection. The acquisition was aimed at maintaining the high quality of bottled beer products and at the same time increase production efficiencies and reduce operating costs. There has been no formal assessment made to the adoption process taken and whether the project has achieved the results that it were designed to provide. The evaluation could have identified critical success factors that can be used as basis for succeeding projects. Without a formal assessment, the success or failure of the technology adoption will remain a puzzle for the organization and can lead to finger pointing Identifying and understanding the different factors that can influence the adoption process can help in a successful integration. The study was based on the Roger's Diffusion of Innovation Theory. Factors believed to have an influence in the adoption process were presented and discussed. These factors included the following : innovation, communication, time and social system. This study has been limited to the acquisition of the camera-type Filled Bottle Inspectors. It focused on the adoption factors that led to the current state of the Filled Bottle Inspectors and how these contribute to the company. The study aims to identify and examine issues that helped in the adoption and identify factors that hindered the smooth implementation and acceptance of the project. Data were gathered through interviews conducted with people who had relevant knowledge and were involved in the technology adoption process of San Miguel Corporation. From these interviews, data were gathered and were subjected to analysis. The data were discussed thoroughly in line with Roger's Theory of Diffusion and Innovation. The study can provide opportunities for management to know the extent and effectiveness of the implemented system. The results of this study can provide information that can contribute to process improvement and development of policies relevant to technology adoption in project planning and implementation. Other possible benefits from the results of the study were also listed and discussed in the paper.