Covid-19 response of an additive manufacturing cluster in Australia

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dc.contributor.authorBoehme, Tillmann
dc.contributor.authorAitken, James
dc.contributor.authorTurner, Neil
dc.contributor.authorHandfield, Robert B.
dc.date.accessioned2021-07-21T10:42:06Z
dc.date.available2021-07-21T10:42:06Z
dc.date.issued2021-07-22
dc.description.abstractPurpose The sudden arrival of Covid-19 severely disrupted the supply chain of personal protective equipment (PPE) in Australia. This paper aims to examine the development of a geographical cluster, which, through the application of additive manufacturing (AM), responded to the PPE supply crisis. Design/methodology/approach This longitudinal case study focuses on an AM cluster, which was developed to supply PPE in a responsive and flexible manner from 2019/2020. The study gathered data over three stages of cluster evolution: pre, during and post-peak Covid-19. Findings The type and nature of exchanges between organizations involved in the cluster established important insights into success factors for cluster creation and development. Using an established complexity framework, this study identifies the characteristics of establishing a cluster. The importance of cluster alignment created initially by a common PPE supply goal led to an emerging commercial and relational imperative to address the longer-term configuration after the disruption. Practical implications Clusters can be a viable option for a technology-driven sector when there is a “buzz” that drives and rapidly diffuses knowledge to support cluster formation. This research identifies the structural, socio-political and emergent dimensions, which need to be considered by stakeholders when aiming at improving competitiveness using clusters. Originality/value Covid-19 has rapidly and unexpectedly disrupted the supply chain for many industries. Responding to challenges, businesses will investigate different pathways to improve the overall resilience including on-/near-shoring. The results provide insights into how clusters are formed, grow and develop and the differentiating factors that result in successful impacts of clusters on local economies.en_UK
dc.identifier.citationBoehme T, Aitken J, Turner N, Handfield R. (2021) Covid-19 response of an additive manufacturing cluster in Australia. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, Volume 26, Number 6, September 2021, pp. 767-784en_UK
dc.identifier.issn1359-8546
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-07-2020-0350
dc.identifier.urihttp://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/16905
dc.language.isoenen_UK
dc.publisherEmeralden_UK
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International*
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/*
dc.subjectcomplexityen_UK
dc.subjectcluster analysisen_UK
dc.subjectdisaster reliefen_UK
dc.subjectsupply chain vulnerabilityen_UK
dc.subjectsupply chain disruptionsen_UK
dc.subjectagile systemsen_UK
dc.titleCovid-19 response of an additive manufacturing cluster in Australiaen_UK
dc.typeArticleen_UK

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