Assessing Adoption Factors for Additive Manufacturing: Insights from Case Studies

Robert B. Handfield, James Aitken, Neil Turner, Tillmann Boehme and Cecil Bozarth
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Robert B. Handfield: Poole College of Management, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
James Aitken: Operations Management Department, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
Neil Turner: School of Management, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
Tillmann Boehme: Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Cecil Bozarth: Poole College of Management, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA

Logistics, 2022, vol. 6, issue 2, 1-22

Abstract: Background: Research on Additive Manufacturing [AM] provides few guidelines for successful adoption of the technology in different market environments. This paper seeks to address this gap by developing a framework that suggests market attributes for which the technology will successfully meet a need. We rely on classical technology adoption theory to evaluate the challenges and opportunities proffered by AM. Methods: We apply a framework of technology adoption and assess these parameters using seven case studies of businesses that have successfully adopted AM technology. Results: We find that successful business adoption is highly associated with the relative advantage of AM to rapidly deliver customized products targeted to niche market opportunities. Conclusions: Our findings provide a decision framework for AM equipment manufacturers to employ when evaluating AM technology across various market environments. All five adoption characteristics were found to be important however, the primary decision criterion is based on the relative advantage of AM over other, traditional, technologies. From a practitioner perspective, our research highlights the importance of AM in attaining a competitive advantage through responsive, customized production which can address the needs of niche markets.

Keywords: additive manufacturing; adoption of innovation; case study research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L8 L80 L81 L86 L87 L9 L90 L91 L92 L93 L98 L99 M1 M10 M11 M16 M19 R4 R40 R41 R49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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