Impact of 3D Printing on the State of the Supply Chain

What is it about?

This research delves into the impact of adopting 3D printing, a digital technology, on a company's supply chain and its resilience. By surveying experts in various companies experienced with 3D printing, the research aims to understand the extent to which this technology alters the supply chain's state and, consequently, its resilience. The findings reveal that 3D printing does moderately affect the supply chain, which in turn moderately influences its resilience. Furthermore, the study identifies specific features of 3D printing adoption that impact the supply chain, as well as the barriers that hinder these effects. Ultimately, this research provides a framework for companies and academics to understand the implications of 3D printing on their supply chains, a crucial step in assessing the technology's impact on overall resilience.

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Photo by Louis Reed on Unsplash

Photo by Louis Reed on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This research digs into how AM adoption changes the supply chain and, more importantly, how it helps handle disruptions. It targets experts already using 3D printing to see what's working and what's not. Findings suggest that AM adoption causes significant changes to the state of the supply chain. A practical framework is developed that can be used to figure out these changes. This framework presents a tool for making informed decisions on AM adoption and supply chain management.