Perception of 3D-printing: analysis of manufacturing use and adoption
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify ways in which five technology adoption theories converge to enhance insight on 3D-printing perceptions and adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 63 structured interviews were conducted with top management professionals from a variety of manufacturing organizations throughout the USA. After controlling for top management decision power, total of 35 interviews and non-parametric statistical analyses were used in conjunction with innovation adoption theory to derive four propositions.
Findings
Results show five adoption theories converge to create a new adoption model specific to 3D-printing. Results also suggests differences specific to users, potential users and non-users.
Originality/value
Results delineate between current, potential and non-users to better understand adoption. Dissimilar to current qualitative research, quantitative (non-parametric) techniques are used to examine the viability of the propositions. Further, the results use various adoption theories to determine convergences specific to 3D-printing.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by The University of Rhode Island’s Division of Research and Economic Development Project Completion Grant.
Citation
Schniederjans, D.G. and Yalcin, M.G. (2018), "Perception of 3D-printing: analysis of manufacturing use and adoption", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 24 No. 3, pp. 510-520. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-04-2017-0056
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited