Special Issue: Rethinking operations and supply chain management in light of the 3D printing revolution

Abstract

Predictions that 3D Printing will lead to an Additive Manufacturing revolution have been made for at least three decades. Although adoption of these technologies continues to increase, there is a disparity between companies and industries achieving success and those becoming disillusioned when the technologies fail to achieve unrealistic expectations. The articles in this Special Issue provide empirical evidence and contribute to theory, to help rethink assumptions about Operations and Supply Chain Management and take account of the opportunities that Additive Manufacturing offers. This introduction to the Special Issue proposes a model to explain the contribution of Additive Manufacturing to business and society, which may range from none at all to a systemic societal impact. The model identifies factors on three levels, i.e., operational, strategic and contextual, which should be aligned with an organisation's adoption of Additive Manufacturing, in order to reap the benefits of these technologies. We show how the studies reported in the Special Issue align with the proposed adoption model.