The cash is in the medium, not in the machine: Toward the golden moments of 3D printing

Steffen Roth ()
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Steffen Roth: ESC Rennes School of Business - ESC [Rennes] - ESC Rennes School of Business

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Abstract: 3D printing technology has been available as early as in the 19th century. The present article therefore asks why the probably disruptive innovation of 3D printing has been observed as only incremental innovation for so long time. We assume that this incrementalization of the supposed key to the next industrial revolution occurred due to the technologys paradox nature. We hence start form a form-theoretical observation of the inherently paradox nature of observation, subsequent to which we observe 3D printing as both form and medium. In doing so, we will show that suppliers of 3D printing solutions currently try to sell 3D printing as form, whereas demanders observe 3D printing as medium. In focussing the latter side of the distinction, we finally suggest that the key to successful 3D printing business models will be in solutions that relate observations of the technological multifunctionality of 3D printing to a social multifunctionality lens.

Keywords: 3D printing; form theory; golden moment; technology marketing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016-01-01
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Published in International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2016

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01204942

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