Strategies for Adopting Additive Manufacturing Technology Into Business Models

Strategies for Adopting Additive Manufacturing Technology Into Business Models by Robert Martens MS, University of Glamorgan, 2007 MBA, Keele University, 2006 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University August 2018 Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM), also called 3-dimensional printing (3DP), emerged as a disruptive technology affecting multiple organizations’ business models and supply chains and endangering incumbents’ financial health, or even rendering them obsolete. The world market for products created by AM has increased more than 25% year over year. Using Christensen’s theory of disruptive innovation as a conceptual framework, theAdditive manufacturing (AM), also called 3-dimensional printing (3DP), emerged as a disruptive technology affecting multiple organizations’ business models and supply chains and endangering incumbents’ financial health, or even rendering them obsolete. The world market for products created by AM has increased more than 25% year over year. Using Christensen’s theory of disruptive innovation as a conceptual framework, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the successful strategies that 4 individual managers, 1 at each of 4 different light and high-tech manufacturing companies in the Netherlands, used to adopt AM technology into their business models. Participant firms originated from 3 provinces and included a value-added logistics service provider and 3 machine shops serving various industries, including the automotive and medical sectors. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, member checking, and analysis of company documents that provided information about the adoption of 3DP into business models. Using Yin’s 5-step data analysis approach, data were compiled, disassembled, reassembled, interpreted, and concluded until 3 major themes emerged: identify business opportunities for AM technology, experiment with AM technology, and embed AM technology. Because of the design freedom the use of AM enables, in combination with its environmental efficiency, the implications for positive social change include possibilities for increasing local employment, improving the environment, and enhancing healthcare for the prosperity of local and global citizens by providing potential solutions that managers could use to deploy AM technology. Strategies for Adopting Additive Manufacturing Technology into Business Models by Robert Martens MBA, University of Keele, 2006 MS, University of Glamorgan, 2007 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University August 2018 Dedication I dedicate this work to my family, who believed in me during this quest. In particular, I wish to thank my father, Dominicus Martens, for telling me about the many journeys he made across the world, for giving me the appreciation for mechanical engineering and procurement, and for showing me technology and business go well together. To my mother, Cornelia, for gifting me with stamina, and an inquisitive and critical mind. I want to thank my wife, Lu Dongmei, for her constant encouragement during this research and belief in my abilities to achieve this goal. To my children Niek, Louis, Max, and Franc: thanks for your support along this journey; I hope I have shown you the importance of goal setting and dedication. Never stop learning. Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge my family, friends, colleagues, classmates, and Walden faculty for their support during this doctoral study project. To my coach while in China, Lynda Aurora, who pushed me to pursue this dream. In particular, I wish to thank my chair, Dr. Susan Fan, for her guidance, Dr. Charles Needham, for his professionalism, and Dr. Lisa Kangas, for her eye to detail, towards the completion of quality research. To my Walden classmates with whom I shared many ups and downs: thank you for your time, support, motivation, and inspiration.