Business Models for Additive Manufacturing – An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

Companies positioned along different value steps of the supply chain are challenged to define how disruptive technologies such as additive manufacturing (also often referred to as 3D printing) will change their existing business model. For many firms from different industries this may even offer unique opportunities to create new value through an expansion of existing or a founding of new business models. We integrate theoretical foundations laid in research on business model innovation concepts to serve as a blueprint and support to explore the specific value propositions newly founded companies leverage along the additive manufacturing value chain. Our research is empirical in nature and employs qualitative management research methods. Specifically, we utilize content analysis to examine over 100 start-ups, which operate own or rely on external additive manufacturing capacity to understand what value-adding activities are offered by newly founded organizations and discover underlying business model architectures. 

Biography

Jakob Heinen is a PhD Candidate in Supply Chain Management at Kühne Logistics University since January 2015. He joined KLU in 2012 to pursue the M.Sc. Program in Global Logistics graduating as the Best Graduate of his class in 2014. In addition to his Master studies in Hamburg he spent a trimester abroad at the Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business in Windhoek, Namibia, participating in courses of the Master of Leadership and Change Management program. Prior to KLU he completed a Bachelor in Aviation Management at the IUBH School of Business and Management in Bad Honnef. Besides his studies, Jakob gained practical experience within different fields of supply chain management during internships at Lufthansa Cargo in the USA as well as the United Nations Office for Project Services in Denmark.

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