Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing (MMAM) introduces a new dimension to production technologies by seamlessly integrating multiple materials into a single object, enabling unparalleled design possibilities. This paper explores MMAM value chains and methods and showcases real-world applications in the aerospace, biomedical and industrial sectors. While MMAM holds promise for application in high-tech industries, its widespread adoption is contingent on quantity, utilization and technical requirements. Continued research into developing material properties and reducing unit costs is needed. Only once these two key challenges have been addressed is mainstream adoption likely.
Although steps have been taken to improve sustainable practices in the construction industry, progress to date has been slow. Advances in 3D printing technology provide a significant opportunity to reconfigure construction industry supply chains to improve its sustainability credentials. This study investigates the adoption of 3D construction printing (3DCP) as a sustainable alternative and/or to augment traditional construction industry supply chains. By analysing six 3DCP organisations and feeding six critical insights into the Business Model Navigator, this study proposes three supply chain models i.e. generative construction service, hybrid service, and emergency service. A generative supply chain model can be used as an on-demand service for customers with limited knowledge of 3DCP. The hybrid model can integrate 3DCP with a traditional construction supply chain to construct part of the building. Finally, the emergency services model can be used to rapidly construct cost-effective housing (e.g for refugees). The adoption of 3D Printing using these supply chain models in housing construction supply chains has the potential to offer considerable benefits both for construction companies and end-users, while at the same time improving sustainability, affordability and productivity.
Plant-based protein food products are considered healthier, more nutritious, and substantially ‘greener’ than meat-based dietary offerings. For reasons such as these plant protein sources including peas/legumes, soy and algae are experiencing unpre-cedented market popularity. Amidst the multitude of alternative protein-based foods on offer, peas are the most promising plant-protein source as they contain all the essential amino acids and have a well-balanced nutritional profile in terms of fat and fibre. However, understanding the extent of the market feasibility of the respective pea protein supply chains (SCs), based on practical expertise, is of utmost importance for policymakers and industrialists alike to evaluate the growth potential of peas as a protein source. To this end, a survey was conducted among pea SC stakeholders to create an understanding of the level of market feasibility of pea protein-based products. A SWOT analysis consolidated the different views and resulted in the
identification of specific strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within the industry. By focusing on understanding the challenges and prospects within peaprotein product SCs, this research provides a springboard for further research investigations into related plant protein-based products. The resulting blueprint of recommended initiatives can help inform the further development of pea protein SCs.
Despite the abundance of articles addressing global supply chain risks and their mitigation strategies, there are surprisingly few insights into how different industries manage global supply chain risks while internationalising abroad. There are conflicting results from previous researches that specific global supply chain risk management practices work in one industry but not in others. We believe that in each industry sector, the global supply chain risks and their mitigation strategies differ. We used profile deviation and ideal profile methodology to identify top performers in three industry sectors (Audit, Finance and Consulting, Automotive, and IT and Software) and evaluated their best practices towards managing global supply chain risks. This study used an online survey to gather information on how Indian executives across these industries manage global supply chain risks during their internationalisation process and found the ‘ideal’ risk mitigation profiles for all three industries. These findings provide new insights to practitioners as they will serve as a useful reference tool for Indian executives planning to internationalise.
Guest editorial: The interplay between new innovations, sustainability and food supply chains
(2024)
3D printing technology is rapidly transforming supply chains across diverse manu-facturing sectors, enabling personalisation of consumer goods ranging from car parts, medical devices, toys, houses, and even clothing. Food production is also included in the breadth of applications of this expanding technology. Increasing consumer awareness about sustainability, including the problem of food waste, as well as growing interest in customised nutrition have led to the emergence of food industry research focused on aspects, such as packaging, portion size, and healthy sustainable ingredients, to satisfy consumer demands. The growing market for personalised food options in particular, requires increased flexibility and agility to tailor ingredients to an individual’s specific requirements. Such specificity is not easily fulfilled using traditional mass production methods; however, the emerging technology of 3D food printing (3DFP) may be one solution. This paper evaluates the opportunities, risks, and challenges associated with 3DFP, with a focus on developing sustainable supply chains for future growth. Drawing on 12 semi-structured interviews with 3DFP industry managers and current literature in the domain, we propose three supply chain models for 3DFP services, as well as an overview of the key business drivers.
Additive manufacturing
(2022)
Using Resource Dependence Theory (RDT), this paper explores the changing state of Supply Chain (SC) complexities and dependencies resulting from Additive Manufacturing (AM) adoption, analysing implications for competitiveness. We utilised an adapted SC configuration framework to develop embedded case studies across the Aerospace, Automotive and Power Generation industries. The sample included fifteen companies deploying metal AM across three SC tiers. Using an abductive logic, our findings reveal that the complexity and dependency-reduction potential of AM depends on economic, industry, geographical, organisational and technological factors. We developed a conceptual framework for AM SC configuration and four propositions, which provide further insights into the interplay between SC complexities, dependencies and competitiveness. By utilising RDT, we contribute to the AM SC configuration literature by highlighting the mediating role that dependencies play in achieving competitiveness, as well as strategies adopted by firms to mitigate uncertainty. We also highlight the interplay between ‘relationship and governance’ and three other SC configuration dimensions in relation to competitiveness. Insights into the changing state of complexities and dependencies identified in this study could also support managerial decisions in AM SC design.
It is no exaggeration to say that food waste along the supply chain is becoming a significant problem for humanity. Food waste is expensive and damaging to the en-vironment and climate e.g. Accorsi and Manzini (2019), Dani (2019), Dora et al. (2020). In Germany alone, food waste generates about 4 percent of the country’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions (BMEL, 2022). Entrepreneurs are often perceived as the world’s problem solvers. By offering innovative new products and services they are providing pathways to overcome some of the pressing global issues, including climate change. And more specifically innovative entrepreneurs, startups as well as established companies are actively seeking to tackle the problem of food waste using innovative business models and linking agile supply chains and production systems to these busi-ness models (Dora et al., 2020, Rogers and Srivastava, 2021). In Germany, for example, companies such as “Rettergut”, Knödelkult”, “Etepete” or “TooGoodToGo”, approach the problem of food waste with completely different business models. This ranges from saving “ugly” fruit and vegetables, to redistributing production surplus, as well as up-cycling food and creating (digital) platforms, to ensure surplus meets demand (Deutsche Umwelthilfe, 2021, Janssen, 2018). Other innovative business models (Baierl and Behrens, 2019), whereby imperfect produce, by-products of agriculture, waste and overproduction are efficiently used are part of this exploratory research. The authors create an overview of the status quo of the markets using the example of Germany’s B2B food supply chain, covering market players, their transport-, sourcing and production strategies and business model applications. Many questions still need to be addressed, including the following: Can innovative business models from different industries be applied to food? Is the platform business model suitable for the reduction of food waste? Is it necessary for retailers - as the final (downstream) tier in the supply chain before the customer - to become more flexible regarding a varying supply of products? How can the sharing economy and regional or local sourcing add to a sustainable food supply chain/network? These and other pertinent questions will the addressed in this exploratory research, for which the answers will be sought by con-ducting interviews with key stakeholders within our network and examining use cases