Journal
JOURNAL OF MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT
Volume 29, Issue 6, Pages 937-957Publisher
EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD
DOI: 10.1108/JMTM-02-2018-0030
Keywords
Advanced manufacturing technology; Additive manufacturing; Small- and medium-sized enterprises
Funding
- Council of Tampere Region [A72156]
- Tampere University of Technology
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
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Purpose Adopting additive manufacturing (AM) can be challenging, especially in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and as part of the supply chains of larger firms. The purpose of this paper is to explore SMEs' perspectives on the adoption of AM in their specific supply chain positions. The paper develops new knowledge on the challenges SMEs face across the supply chain and the actions they need to promote the adoption of AM. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory interview-based research design is used. In total, 17 interviews were conducted and analyzed in four types of SMEs in their specific positions in AM supply chains. The challenges of adopting AM were mapped, and actions to promote AM adoption were identified. Findings SMEs in different supply chain positions experience different challenges when adopting AM. Strategic and operative actions are suggested as key solutions to overcome the challenges. The benefits of AM on a large scale will be achieved only if the broader supply chain adopts AM technology and experiences its benefits. Research limitations/implications The research is limited by its single-country context, its focus on SMEs, and the selection of early-phase AM-adopter firms. The findings imply a need to understand AM adoption as a shared concern and systemic innovation in the supply chain, instead of just a firm-specific implementation task. Practical implications The findings offer a framework for categorizing AM adoption challenges and propose ways to overcome the challenges of adoption. Originality/value The study reveals that AM adoption is not only a technology issue, but also an issue of strategic, organizational and operational challenges across the supply chain. It shows that when adopting AM, SMEs face particular challenges and require specific solutions according to their supply chain position.
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