Exploring the effects of additive manufacturing technology adoption on the state of the supply chain: a resilience perspective Exploring the effects of additive manufacturing technology adoption on the state of the supply chain: a resilience perspective

• Published in: Operations management research Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 495 - 517
• Main Authors: Naghshineh, Bardia, Carvalho, Helena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.06.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Additive manufacturing; Business and Management; Data analysis; Digital technology; Engineering Economics; Industrial and Production Engineering; Innovation/Technology Management; Logistics; Management; Manufacturing; Marketing; Operations Management; Operations Research/Decision Theory; Organization; Original Research; Qualitative analysis; Qualitative research; Quantitative analysis; Resilience; Supply chains; Technology adoption; Three dimensional printing; Variables; Digital technology adoption; Empirical framework; Additive manufacturing; Supply chain state; Supply chain resilience; 3D printing
• ISSN: 1936-9735; 1936-9743
• DOI: 10.1007/s12063-025-00540-5

As a digital technology, the adoption of additive manufacturing (AM), otherwise known as 3D printing, affects the state of the supply chain, consequently affecting supply chain resilience. To investigate the subject matter from the industry’s viewpoint, an exploratory survey was conducted to collect quantitative and qualitative empirical data from a heterogeneous sample of experts in various companies with hands-on experience in AM technology adoption. The quantitative data analysis indicates that adopting AM technology affects the supply chain’s state to a moderate extent overall, which in turn is likely to moderately affect supply chain resilience. The qualitative data analysis elucidates how different adoption features of AM technology affect the supply chain’s state and identifies the barriers inhibiting these effects. Generic propositions are put forward to reflect the theoretical implications of the study. Moreover, an empirical framework is conceived that outlines the managerial implications of the study. This framework can be used by practitioners and academics seeking to understand to what extent and how AM adoption affects the supply chain’s state , a fundamental prerequisite for assessing the supply chain resilience outcomes of adopting this digital technology.