Investigating the feasibility of supply chain-centric business models in 3D chocolate printing: A simulation study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Investigating the feasibility of supply chain-centric business models in 3D chocolate printing

T2 - A simulation study

AU - Jia, Fu

AU - Wang, Xiaofeng

AU - Mustafee, Navonil

AU - Hao, Liang

PY - 2016/1/1

Y1 - 2016/1/1

N2 - 3D chocolate printing provides the technology for manufacturing chocolates layer-by-layer, thus offering customers enhanced product value and personalized consumption experience. As business models in the chocolate industry are closely associated with the profitability of the supply chain constituents, it seems appropriate to investigate the financial viability of these supply-chain centric business models prior to their introduction in the real world. In this paper we present two business models pertaining to the supply chain for 3D printed chocolates; we evaluate the financial viability of these innovative models through the use of computer modelling and simulation. The study is based on the commercialization efforts of a UK based 3D chocolate printing technology provider (Choc Edge). The results of the study indicate that 1) the retailer dominant supply chain model is a potentially disruptive business model innovations that are enabled by the 3D food printing technology, and as such, may pose a challenge to traditional high end chocolate products; 2) the manufacturer dominant model helps manufacturers gain more profits while retailer profits tend to be stagnant.

AB - 3D chocolate printing provides the technology for manufacturing chocolates layer-by-layer, thus offering customers enhanced product value and personalized consumption experience. As business models in the chocolate industry are closely associated with the profitability of the supply chain constituents, it seems appropriate to investigate the financial viability of these supply-chain centric business models prior to their introduction in the real world. In this paper we present two business models pertaining to the supply chain for 3D printed chocolates; we evaluate the financial viability of these innovative models through the use of computer modelling and simulation. The study is based on the commercialization efforts of a UK based 3D chocolate printing technology provider (Choc Edge). The results of the study indicate that 1) the retailer dominant supply chain model is a potentially disruptive business model innovations that are enabled by the 3D food printing technology, and as such, may pose a challenge to traditional high end chocolate products; 2) the manufacturer dominant model helps manufacturers gain more profits while retailer profits tend to be stagnant.

KW - 3D chocolate printing

KW - Business model innovation

KW - Case study

KW - Simulation

KW - Supply chain management

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84949531948&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.techfore.2015.07.026

DO - 10.1016/j.techfore.2015.07.026

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84949531948

SN - 0040-1625

VL - 102

SP - 202

EP - 213

JO - Technological Forecasting and Social Change

JF - Technological Forecasting and Social Change

ER -