How 3D Printing Subverts Global Production Networks after COVID-19: Evidence from a Labor-Intensive Industry
Purpose. COVID-19 has prompted more countries to consider moving key production activities back home. 3D printing (3DP) is a key technology to realize this migration. This study aims to explore the extent to which 3DP can change the current global production network. Design/Methodology/Approach. Thi...
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8869362 |
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doaj-bd9939f9b8b44d0496ece3702d2539872020-11-25T04:06:16ZengHindawi LimitedDiscrete Dynamics in Nature and Society1607-887X2020-01-01202010.1155/2020/88693628869362How 3D Printing Subverts Global Production Networks after COVID-19: Evidence from a Labor-Intensive IndustryZhen Chen0Yu Cao1Guangdong Coastal Economic Belt Development Research CenterChina Waterborne Transport Research InstitutePurpose. COVID-19 has prompted more countries to consider moving key production activities back home. 3D printing (3DP) is a key technology to realize this migration. This study aims to explore the extent to which 3DP can change the current global production network. Design/Methodology/Approach. This study takes the toy industry as the empirical object and studies the trend of labor-intensive industries migrating from China to the United States from the micro- and macroperspectives. At the microlevel, this study uses scenario analysis to compare the utility experience of different toy acquisition channels for consumers. At the macrolevel, this study determines the applicable product objects of 3DP through the classification and analysis of toy trade data. Findings. It is found that, with the development of 3DP, toy manufacturing activities may gradually flow from China to the United States in stages. If 3DP is implemented in electronic materials and power systems, this migration activity will be more obvious. Originality/Value. This study identified which kind of 3DP technology development will significantly promote the global production network reconstruction. This viewpoint is helpful for decision-makers to consider technology investment comprehensively.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8869362 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Zhen Chen Yu Cao |
spellingShingle |
Zhen Chen Yu Cao How 3D Printing Subverts Global Production Networks after COVID-19: Evidence from a Labor-Intensive Industry Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society |
author_facet |
Zhen Chen Yu Cao |
author_sort |
Zhen Chen |
title |
How 3D Printing Subverts Global Production Networks after COVID-19: Evidence from a Labor-Intensive Industry |
title_short |
How 3D Printing Subverts Global Production Networks after COVID-19: Evidence from a Labor-Intensive Industry |
title_full |
How 3D Printing Subverts Global Production Networks after COVID-19: Evidence from a Labor-Intensive Industry |
title_fullStr |
How 3D Printing Subverts Global Production Networks after COVID-19: Evidence from a Labor-Intensive Industry |
title_full_unstemmed |
How 3D Printing Subverts Global Production Networks after COVID-19: Evidence from a Labor-Intensive Industry |
title_sort |
how 3d printing subverts global production networks after covid-19: evidence from a labor-intensive industry |
publisher |
Hindawi Limited |
series |
Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society |
issn |
1607-887X |
publishDate |
2020-01-01 |
description |
Purpose. COVID-19 has prompted more countries to consider moving key production activities back home. 3D printing (3DP) is a key technology to realize this migration. This study aims to explore the extent to which 3DP can change the current global production network. Design/Methodology/Approach. This study takes the toy industry as the empirical object and studies the trend of labor-intensive industries migrating from China to the United States from the micro- and macroperspectives. At the microlevel, this study uses scenario analysis to compare the utility experience of different toy acquisition channels for consumers. At the macrolevel, this study determines the applicable product objects of 3DP through the classification and analysis of toy trade data. Findings. It is found that, with the development of 3DP, toy manufacturing activities may gradually flow from China to the United States in stages. If 3DP is implemented in electronic materials and power systems, this migration activity will be more obvious. Originality/Value. This study identified which kind of 3DP technology development will significantly promote the global production network reconstruction. This viewpoint is helpful for decision-makers to consider technology investment comprehensively. |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8869362 |
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