This Editorial Viewpoint explores the practical developments in manufacturing technology management (MTM) over the last 22 years and links these to some of the subject trends of previous articles in JMTM.
Themes and relevant articles have been identified from the Emerald advanced search facility and linked with developments in hard technologies, information technology and production organisation.
There are numerous examples of where trends in the real world of MTM are reflected in changes to the orientation of JMTM articles, but there are still many articles following more well‐worn paths of previous academic research.
Evidence for the findings is only from a small sample of articles identified in one journal.
Over time, practitioners can find useful connections between published research and their own emerging areas of concern.
The paper is based on original bibliographic research, supplemented by extensive editorial and practical experience.
