The Impact of 3D Printing Technologies on Business Model Innovation

There is a growing consensus that 3D printing technologies will be the next major technological revolution. While a lot of work has already been carried out as to what these technologies will bring in terms of product and process innovation, little has been done on their impact on business model innovation. Yet, history has shown that technological evolution without adequate business model innovation is a pitfall for many businesses. The contribution of this article is threefold. First, it combines the existing literature on business model innovation in an integrated ‘inside-outside’ framework of business model innovation. Secondly, the changes brought about by 3D printing technologies to the business model components are investigated. Finally, this article shows that in addition to enabling business model innovation, 3D printing technologies have the potential to change the way business model innovation is done, by enabling adaptive business models and by bringing the ‘rapid prototyping’ paradigm to business model innovation itself.