Covid-19 response of an additive manufacturing cluster in Australia
ISSN: 1359-8546
Article publication date: 22 July 2021
Issue publication date: 6 September 2021
Abstract
Purpose
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.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) – Materials node for access to services and equipment.Funding from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence Scheme (Project Number CE 140100012) is gratefully acknowledged.Funding and support from the Australian Department of Industry Innovation and Science (Project Number EPLE481) are gratefully acknowledged.
Citation
Boehme, T., Aitken, J., Turner, N. and Handfield, R. (2021), "Covid-19 response of an additive manufacturing cluster in Australia", Supply Chain Management, Vol. 26 No. 6, pp. 767-784. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-07-2020-0350
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited