Title: 3D printing: enabling customer-centricity in the supply chain

Authors: Elisa Martina Martinelli; Martin Christopher

Addresses: Catholic University, Milan, Italy ' School of Management, Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK

Abstract: Three-dimensional printing (3DP) is used for multiple purposes in many fields and it is attracting attention, both academically and managerially, in the context of a customer-centric approach to supply chain management. The purpose of this paper is to explore how 3DP enables supply chain customer-centricity through value co-creation by the analysis of a case study, the manufacture of an innovative 3D printed component in the aerospace sector. The research highlights that: 1) the usage of 3DP enables the adoption of an external customer-centric supply chain orientation drawing on four sources of value co-creation; 2) value co-creation network based on 3DP requires a particular form of collaboration and coordination, bringing specific benefits for all the partners involved. A conceptual framework, leading to propositions, is developed identifying the elements of a customer-centric supply chain based on the principles of co-creation. Finally, theoretical and managerial implications and future research directions are outlined.

Keywords: supply chain; SC; supply chain management; SCM; value co-creation; value co-creation network; network reconfiguration; 3D printing; additive manufacturing; AM; customer-centric.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVCM.2019.099097

International Journal of Value Chain Management, 2019 Vol.10 No.2, pp.87 - 106

Received: 23 Jun 2018
Accepted: 02 Oct 2018
Published online: 15 Apr 2019 *

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