Abstract The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework for analyzing the relationships among Additive Manufacturing adoption, flexibility, and performance in the supply chain context. No empirical study was found in the supply chain literature that specifically examines the relationships among Additive Manufacturing adoption, flexibility and performance; the paper therefore fills an important gap in the supply chain literature. The research is based on a quantitative approach using a questionnaire survey from a total of 124 medium-and large-sized European Union automotive manufacturing companies. The hypothesized relationships are tested using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The research provides insights into how supply chain flexibility mediates the effect of Additive Manufacturing adoption on supply chain performance in the context of European automotive industry. Research findings indicate that Additive Manufacturing adoption positively impacts supply chain flexibility and that, in turn, supply chain flexibility positively impacts supply chain performance. This suggests that companies should focus on flexibilities in the supply chain to improve its performance. Overall, these findings provide important insights into the value of Additive Manufacturing adoption for supply chain flexibility and performance.

中文翻译：

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采用增材制造对供应链灵活性和性能的影响：来自汽车行业的实证分析

摘要 本文的目的是提供一个概念框架，用于分析供应链环境中增材制造采用、灵活性和性能之间的关系。在供应链文献中没有发现专门研究增材制造采用、灵活性和性能之间关系的实证研究；因此，该论文填补了供应链文献中的一个重要空白。该研究基于使用问卷调查的定量方法，该问卷调查来自总共 124 家欧盟大中型汽车制造公司。使用偏最小二乘结构方程模型 (PLS-SEM) 测试假设关系。该研究提供了有关供应链灵活性如何在欧洲汽车行业背景下调节增材制造采用对供应链绩效的影响的见解。研究结果表明，增材制造的采用会对供应链灵活性产生积极影响，反过来，供应链灵活性也会对供应链绩效产生积极影响。这表明公司应该关注供应链的灵活性以提高其绩效。总体而言，这些发现为了解增材制造对供应链灵活性和性能的价值提供了重要见解。供应链灵活性对供应链绩效产生积极影响。这表明公司应该关注供应链的灵活性以提高其绩效。总体而言，这些发现为了解增材制造对供应链灵活性和性能的价值提供了重要见解。供应链灵活性对供应链绩效产生积极影响。这表明公司应该关注供应链的灵活性以提高其绩效。总体而言，这些发现为了解增材制造对供应链灵活性和性能的价值提供了重要见解。