The Effects of Adoption of 3D Printing Technology on the Operational Performance of the Companies of Cross Border Entrepreneurs

Abstract

This article examines the effects of the adoption of 3D printing technology (3DPT) applications on the operational performance of entrepreneurs' companies in terms of time, cost, quality, competitiveness, and management processes. For this purpose, a study model based on the relevant previous studies was proposed. The data for this research was collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire given to 161 respondents. The target respondents were those employed in entrepreneurial companies in Jordan, and the data was analysed using multiple regression techniques. The findings indicate that the extent of 3DPT being adopted by entrepreneurial companies in Jordan should be considered moderate at this stage. Further, all integrated operational performance indicators (time, cost, quality, competitiveness, and management processes) were significantly influenced by the adoption of 3DPT; the most important performance indicators were found to be time, cost, and quality due to the business environment context found in Jordan.