Additive manufacturing integration in E-commerce supply chain network to improve resilience and competitiveness

In light of recently increased e-commerce, also a result the COVID-19 pandemic, this study examines how additive manufacturing (AM) can contribute to e-commerce supply chain network resilience, profitability and competitiveness. With recent competitive challenges, companies aim decrease cost performance metrics increase responsiveness. work, we establish utilisation policies for AM in so that simultaneously improve their total response time metrics. We propose three different policies, i.e. reactive, proactive – both with 3D printing support policy excluding usage system. A simulation optimisation process 136 experiments under various input design factors an (s, S) inventory control is carried out. completed statistical analysis identify significant (i.e. AM, holding cost, lead time, demand amount, etc.) affecting studied retailer chain. Results show utilising such prove beneficial, where reactive contributes significantly Practically, work has important managerial implications defining most appropriate achieve operations resilience aid especially times turbulence uncertainty.