The Business Model for the Functional Rapid Manufacturing Supply Chain

• Main Authors: Hasan Saad, Rennie Allan, Hasan Jamal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sciendo 2013-12-01
• Series: Studia Commercialia Bratislavensia
• Subjects: rapid manufacturing; rapid prototyping; 3d printing; supply chain; business model; e- business; virtual trading system
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2478/stcb-2013-0008

The use of the Rapid Manufacturing (RM) technologies to manufacture end used product has become a more viable proposition these days than it was in the past. However, the characteristics of the technology allow for unconventional usage and subsequent supply chain support requirements. Therefore, it can be argued that the RM supply chain concepts have the potential room for further evolution. This research focuses on the possibility and structure of a business model tailored for the unconventional RM supply chain requirements. In this regard, the paper proposes the Virtual Trading System or VTS, which is an e-business platform that could potentially provide an alternative to the RM industry, in terms of supply chain functionality. The research outlines the structure of such a business model in detail, based on the requirements of the RM industry.