Additive manufacturing technology: mapping social impacts

Author(s):

Florinda Matos, (UNIDEMI – Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA), Almada, Portugal) (DINÂMIA’CET – IUL – Centre for Socioeconomic Change and Territorial Studies, Lisbon, Portugal)

Celeste Jacinto, (UNIDEMI – Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA), Almada, Portugal)

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Abstract:

Purpose

Recent developments in additive manufacturing (AM) technology have emphasized the issue of social impacts. However, such effects are still to be determined. So, the purpose of this paper is to map the social impacts of AM technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach applied in this study combines a literature review with computer-aided content analysis to search for keywords related to social impacts. The content analysis technique was used to identify and count the relevant keywords in academic documents associated with AM social impacts.

Findings

The study found that AM technology social impacts are still in an exploratory phase. Evidence was found that several social challenges of AM technology will have an influence on the society. The topics associated with fabrication, customization, sustainability, business models and work emerged as the most relevant terms that can act as “pointers” to social impacts.

Research limitations/implications

The research on this subject is strongly conditioned by the scarcity of empirical experience and, consequently, by the scarcity of data and publications on the topic.

Originality/value

This study gives an up-to-date contribution to the topic of AM social impacts, which is still little explored in the literature. Moreover, the methodological approach used in this work combines bibliometrics with computer-aided content analysis, which also constitutes a contribution to support future literature reviews in any field. Overall, the results can be used to improve academic research in the topic and promote discussion among the different social actors.

Keywords:

Customization, Organizational change, Additive manufacturing, Manufacturing competences, Work organization

Type:

Research paper

Publisher:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Received:

17 December 2017

Revised:

22 July 2018

Accepted:

06 August 2018

Acknowledgments:

The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding of Project FIBR3D (ref: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016414), cofinanced by Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) and by National Funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal, as well as FCT grant (ref: UID/EMS/00667/2013).

Copyright:

© Emerald Publishing Limited 2019
Published by Emerald Publishing Limited
Licensed re-use rights only

Citation:

Florinda Matos, Celeste Jacinto, (2019) "Additive manufacturing technology: mapping social impacts", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 30 Issue: 1, pp.70-97, https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-12-2017-0263

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