Additive manufacturing technology adoption for supply chain agility: a systematic search and review

Motivated by the dynamic capability view of the firm toward technology adoption, in this study, a systematic search and critical review of the literature is performed to explain how additive manufacturing (AM), more commonly known as 3D printing, affects different dimensions of supply chain agility (SCA), subsequently influencing the macro-level Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model processes, namely, Plan, Source, Make, Deliver, and Enable. Based on the findings, a comprehensive framework is developed outlining the adoption features and barriers of AM technology that affect different SCA dimensions and macro-level SCOR processes. Hence, this macro-level framework promotes strategy analysis for improving SCA and top-level supply chain management (SCM) processes through AM technology adoption. Moreover, propositions are put forward that can be tested empirically and refined contextually by future research. Finally, directions for future research are identified to further investigate the subject matter.