3D Printing Business Model Innovation Dissertation
Master's Thesis for Entrepreneurship and Innovation MSc at the University of Edinburgh Business School.
Feb. 2017 to Aug. 2017
This was part of an AHRC/CREATe project between the University of Edinburgh and the University of Strathclyde.
The Brief
The dissertation is an independent piece of research. It focused on examining business model innovation in the 3D printing industry due to the rising prevalence of the technology and increase in 3D printing businesses and studies.
The aim was to identify emerging trends and suggestions for the industry. The scope focused on changes in the UK.
Reserach Design
- Qualitative Exploratory Study
- Interpretative Paradigm to highlight another perspective
- Participant Observation for initial data collection
- Semi-structure interviews with academics studying 3D printing, and founders and an - executive of small UK-based 3D printing enterprises
- Opportunity sampling for participant recruitment due to the specific subject matter
Methods
- Literature review
- 1 Conference - 1 Participatory Design Workshop for Future Planning
- 2 Expert Interviews
- 5 User Interviews
- Heterogeneous Data Synthesis
- Thematic Analysis
Approach
Context Setting
I immersed myself in the industry to obtain an understanding of the greater context. I attended a conference hosted by Bournemouth University in 2017 on 3D Printing, Jewelry, and Intellectual Property Law. Additionally, I attended and participated in a workshop held at the University of Strathclyde with local 3D printing businesses and cultural institutions on future-proofing.
These events provided background into what types of 3D companies exist, how the technology works, and importantly provided contacts and potential interviewees.
This information helped to guide the literature review. Along with insights from the literature, this context-setting information formulated interviewee selection criteria and interview question creation.
Interviews and Analysis
I conducted 7 interviews. It was with a group of leaders within 3D printing SMEs in the UK and academics in 3D printing.
Interviews were conducted primarily via phone calls with 2 in-person interviews. Responses were kept anonymous.
I took a thematic analysis approach to synthesize all the data collected. The key themes that emerged are:
- Business models as communication tools.
- Variety of sources for business model innovation.
- Uncertainty in design rights distribution.
- Uncertainty of the mass adoption of the technology.
All of which shows how 3D printing stakeholders make sense of the uncertainty of business models and their evolving industry.
Research Results
The dissertation provided a new definition of business models, and it established a model regarding the cycle of business model research and creation.
I created a roadmap of future concerns for 3D printing businesses which included:
the development of new materials,
Brexit,
and the expansion of the application of 3D printing.
My dissertation received a First (A) supporting me in achieving a Distinction (A+) in my Entrepreneurship and Innovation MSc.
Reflections
- The sample of the study was small. I would enhance the study by including a legal professional, a medical printing company, equipment manufacturers, and other actors in the 3D printing ecosystem.
- Conferences, workshops, and industry-specific events are great places to study future-shaping. Here relevant actors come together to discuss and solve the trends that they think will most affect them.
- We need to be cautious in overhyping technologies, especially at the early stages. Some called 3D printing the 4th Industrial Revolution and the great democratizer of manufacturing. In practice, 3D printing is becoming a new tool in product development toolboxes, not overhauling traditional manufacturing practices.
