Towards a practice-based framework for supply chain resilience in the context of additive manufacturing technology adoption

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, is widely believed to enhance supply chain resilience (SCR). However, there is a lack of empirical frameworks to provide directions for practitioners and scholars in this regard. Motivated by the dynamic capabilities view, this exploratory survey research aims to overcome this gap. To this end, empirical data are collected from a heterogeneous sample of experts involved in different industries at the forefront of AM. These data are used to explore pathways through which AM adoption leads to enhancing SCR via different resilience practices. More specifically, the collected data are analyzed to explain how AM adoption affects different resilience practices and how these practices in turn affect SCR. Based on these findings, a preliminary practice-based framework is developed that can support practitioners in deploying AM-enabled resilience practices aimed at generating the supply chain (SC) capabilities necessary for dealing with SC vulnerabilities and therefore enhancing SCR. Moreover, relevant propositions are put forward that reflect these findings and open up avenues for future research.