2026-09-25T20:57:06.322585989Zhttps://repository.nwu.ac.za/server/oai/requestoai:repository.nwu.ac.za:10394/418942025-06-30T20:57:21Zcom_10394_26463col_10394_26475
Coetzee, R.
Harmse, Willem Hendrik
2023-08-01T06:55:43Z
2023-08-01T06:55:43Z
2022
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9487-5112
http://hdl.handle.net/10394/41894
North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus
The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) demands a significant change in the way businesses operate.
The previous three industrial revolutions were initiated from the market and demanded that
organisations adopt to the market requirements for more cost-effective, high-volume and
standardised products. The 4IR started with the advent of several new disruptive technologies that
will require a rethink of business models and customisation according to the process and customer
requirements. One of the most disruptive technologies of 4IR is additive manufacturing(AM).
3D printing (3DP) is not the same as AM, but is a terminology commonly used by the general public.
See ASTM F2792 for accurate definitions and the difference between 3DP and AM.
The current provisioning system for spare parts is based on a linear supply chain philosophy
whereas successful participation in 4IR requires a focus on real-time customer demand, infused
with agility and integrated in the global ecosystem.
AM also requires a change in paradigms from a linear paradigm in design and manufacturing based
on the avoidance of complexity to a non-linear paradigm where complexity needs to be embraced
and solved through new systemic and ecosystem-based thinking. It is difficult for organisations
when they want to adopt AM for spare part provisioning to contemplate the systemicrelationship
between all the risk areas in the business as well as to understand the disruptive impact of the
adoption on the organisation. This contributes to the slow adoption of AM in spare part provisioning.
Therefore, the aim of this research is to develop a solution that can assist in enhancing the adoption
of AM in spare part provisioning. The implementation of this model is beyond the scope of this
thesis and can be conducted as part of further research in this field.
Utilising the elaborated action design research method within the design science research
paradigm, a multidimensional maturity model was developed to improve the slow adoption of AM in
spare part provisioning.
The elaborated action design research method was entered at the problem definition stage. This
stage consists of five components that started with (1) a literature review. A summary of the
literature review was used to compile questions for (2) discussions with AM experts in the South
African AM ecosystem. The researcher's own experience (3) was added, and a triangulation
exercise (4) was used to proof a valid research problem. From the triangulation exercise, themes
iii
were developed that required additional research in order for theories to be developed regarding
the slow adoption of AM. Grounded theory (5) was used as an overarching and iterative method
for the problem definition stage to develop three new theories explaining the slow adoption of AM.
These three theories created the input for the concept design stage.
During the concept design stage, the three theories were researched and developed to create the
input for the build stage. The output from the concept design stage was used in the build stage to
design and build the Business Risk Provisioning Maturity Model (BRPM2). Finally, the Delphi
technique was applied to verify that the BRPM2 adheres to all the design requirements and that it
was a valid solution to address the research problem.
The BRPM2 model allows organisations to determine their maturity development stage against the
provisioning system evolution. The model creates a systemic as-is map for the organisation that
can then be used to develop a roadmap of the requirements against the key business risk areas
when adopting AM as part of spare part provisioning on their journey to improve their maturity when
adopting AM for spare part provisioning.
The study contributes to the field of industrial engineering by extending a known solution to solve a
new problem. Industrial engineering literature has been enriched by the definition of the
provisioning system evolution and the way the model emphasises the importance of systems
thinking in the adoption of disruptive innovations. The BRPM2 model also adds to the organisational
domain by supporting the key paradigm shift that is required in the organization to enhance the
adoption of AM for spare part provisioning.
Doctoral
en
North-West University (South Africa).
Additive manufacturing
systems thinking
fourth Industrial Revolution
evolution
linear
non-linear
design science research
elaborated action design science research
provisioning system
business risk
maturity model
A maturity model to enhance the adoption of Additive Manufacturing in spare part provisioning in South Africa
Thesis
open.access