Additive Manufacturing in Supply Chain Management: A Systematic Review

Abstract

AbstractAdditive manufacturing (AM) in supply chain management (SCM) is one of the most emerging research topics nowadays, due to increased competition among manufacturing industries. AM techanology has capabilities to revolutionize manufacturing industry due to its huge advantages over traditional manufacturing (customized design, complex free and flexibility). AM technology provides small quantities of customized, personalized and geometrically complex products relatively at low cost as compared to traditional manufacturing. AM technology also provides customized shape, digital interaction with customers, direct manufacturing that give benefits in terms of lower cost, reduced supply chain complexity and lead times, etc. AM technology has been already adopted in fields of dental, biomedical, fashion and apparel due to its hyper flexibilities in supply chain. This review explores future scope, opportunities and challenges associated with supply chain management in adoption of AM technologies and also highlights the research gap by researchers from research background. AM technology is developing since 1980s and undergone huge transformation, but the integration of AM in supply chain is not explored so much. Therefore, this topic has good research scope. Systematic literature review has been done to find impacts (challenges, risks opportunities, advantages, etc.) of AM technologies on supply chain as well as future scope of AM in SCM. This review paper can serve as basis for future research related to this topic and add value to existing literature.KeywordsAdditive manufacturingSupply chain managementDigital interactionChallenges and opportunities