Short answer

Embrace the inherent paradoxes in implementing AM for circularity in healthcare by adopting flexible, integrated strategies that balance competing demands.

Field: Resource Management
Source: Information Systems Frontiers (2024)
Method: Qualitative research using focus groups and semi-structured interviews.
Sample: 22 participants (12 in focus groups, 10 in interviews)
Evidence: Moderate effect

Additive manufacturing (AM) can be integrated into healthcare supply chains to support circular economy objectives by addressing competing priorities through a 'both/and' approach. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2024 study published in Information Systems Frontiers. Using Qualitative research using focus groups and semi-structured interviews. with 22 participants (12 in focus groups, 10 in interviews), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Embrace the inherent paradoxes in implementing AM for circularity in healthcare by adopting flexible, integrated strategies that balance competing demands.

Study

Resource ManagementRecentModerate effect

Additive Manufacturing Balances Circularity and Healthcare Supply Chain Demands

Additive manufacturing (AM) can be integrated into healthcare supply chains to support circular economy objectives by addressing competing priorities through a 'both/and' approach.

Information Systems Frontiers · 2024

Key Findings

01Four competing priorities (paradoxes) exist when implementing AM for circular economy in healthcare.
02An Industry 5.0 perspective offers solutions to manage these tensions through a 'both/and' approach.

Application

Design takeaway

Embrace the inherent paradoxes in implementing AM for circularity in healthcare by adopting flexible, integrated strategies that balance competing demands.

How to apply

When designing AM solutions for healthcare, explicitly map out potential competing priorities (e.g., speed vs. material reuse) and develop integrated strategies that address both.

Project actions

01When exploring AM for a design project, identify potential conflicts between sustainability goals and functional requirements.
02Consider how a 'both/and' approach could offer a more robust solution than trying to pick one priority over the other.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can additive manufacturing be implemented in the healthcare supply chain to achieve circular economy goals while managing paradoxical tensions?

MethodQualitative research using focus groups and semi-structured interviews.

ProcedureFocus group discussions were held with 12 industry experts to identify paradoxical tensions in AM implementation for circular economy goals within the healthcare supply chain. Subsequently, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 industry experts to derive solutions for managing these tensions from an Industry 5.0 perspective.

Sample22 participants (12 in focus groups, 10 in interviews)

ContextHealthcare supply chain and additive manufacturing for circular economy goals.

Variables

IV["Implementation of Additive Manufacturing","Circular Economy Goals","Industry 5.0 Perspective"]

DV["Management of Paradoxical Tensions","Effectiveness of Healthcare Supply Chain"]

CV["Healthcare Sector","Supply Chain Dynamics"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Addresses a novel application of paradox theory in AM and circular economy.
+Provides practical solutions from industry experts.

Limitations

The number of experts interviewed is relatively small, and their specific industry roles might influence their perspectives.

Reliability & validity

The study uses multiple qualitative methods (focus groups and interviews) with industry experts to enhance the validity of the identified paradoxes and solutions. However, the sample size is limited, which may affect generalizability.

Think critically

How might the 'Industry 5.0 perspective' specifically address the identified paradoxes in a practical, design-oriented manner?

Design Principles

"Embrace paradox: Design solutions that can accommodate and leverage competing priorities rather than seeking to eliminate them."

This research highlights how design practitioners can navigate the inherent conflicts when implementing AM for sustainability in healthcare. By understanding these tensions, designers can develop strategies that foster innovation and efficiency, rather than hinder progress towards circularity.

What This Means for Your Design

When using 3D printing for medical supplies to help the environment, there are tricky situations where you need to do two opposite things at once. This research shows how to handle these tricky situations by thinking flexibly.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the challenges of implementing sustainable design solutions in complex industries.
2.Use the concept of paradox to frame the challenges and solutions in your design process.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the 'paradoxical tensions' that arise when implementing additive manufacturing for circular economy goals within the healthcare supply chain. By adopting an Industry 5.0 perspective, designers can move beyond dualistic thinking to a 'both/and' approach, effectively managing competing priorities such as resource efficiency and immediate healthcare demands to foster innovative and resilient solutions.

Source

Information Systems Frontiers

Implementation of Additive Manufacturing in the Healthcare Supply Chain for Circular Economy Goals: Paradoxical Tensions and Solutions from an Industry 5.0 Perspective

journal · 2024

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about additive manufacturing balances circularity and healthcare supply chain demands?: Embrace the inherent paradoxes in implementing AM for circularity in healthcare by adopting flexible, integrated strategies that balance competing demands. Evidence: Information Systems Frontiers (2024).
Why does "Additive Manufacturing Balances Circularity and Healthcare Supply Chain Demands" matter for design?: This research highlights how design practitioners can navigate the inherent conflicts when implementing AM for sustainability in healthcare. By understanding these tensions, designers can develop strategies that foster innovation and efficiency, rather than hinder progress towards circularity.
How can designers apply this research?: Embrace the inherent paradoxes in implementing AM for circularity in healthcare by adopting flexible, integrated strategies that balance competing demands.
What were the main findings?: Four competing priorities (paradoxes) exist when implementing AM for circular economy in healthcare.. An Industry 5.0 perspective offers solutions to manage these tensions through a 'both/and' approach.
What research method was used?: Qualitative research using focus groups and semi-structured interviews. with 22 participants (12 in focus groups, 10 in interviews).
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2024 journal from Information Systems Frontiers.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing AM solutions for healthcare, explicitly map out potential competing priorities (e.g., speed vs. material reuse) and develop integrated strategies that address both.
What are the limitations?: The findings are based on expert opinions and may not fully represent the experiences of all stakeholders in the healthcare supply chain.