Study
Commercial ProductionHigh ImpactStrong effect

Retailer-Dominant Supply Chains Disrupt High-End Chocolate Markets with 3D Printing

3D chocolate printing enables retailer-dominant supply chain models that can challenge traditional premium chocolate products.

'Elsevier BV' · 2016

01

Key Findings

  • 01The retailer-dominant supply chain model is a potentially disruptive business model innovation enabled by 3D food printing technology.
  • 02The retailer-dominant model may pose a challenge to traditional high-end chocolate products.
  • 03The manufacturer-dominant model leads to increased manufacturer profits, while retailer profits remain stagnant.
02

Application

Design takeaway

When designing new products or business strategies, analyze how emerging manufacturing technologies can reshape supply chains and create opportunities for new market entrants or disruptors.

How to apply

When developing new product lines or entering new markets, consider how technologies like 3D printing can enable novel supply chain configurations that offer unique value propositions.

Project actions

  • 01When researching a new product, think about who controls the supply chain and how technology might shift that power.
  • 02Consider how customization enabled by new tech can create new business opportunities.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo evaluate the financial viability of supply-chain centric business models for 3D printed chocolates.
MethodSimulation study
ProcedureTwo business models for 3D printed chocolate supply chains were developed and their financial viability was assessed using computer modelling and simulation, based on a UK-based 3D chocolate printing technology provider.
ContextFood manufacturing and retail, specifically 3D chocolate printing.

Variables

IV["Supply chain model (retailer-dominant vs. manufacturer-dominant)","3D chocolate printing technology"]
DV["Financial viability","Profitability of supply chain constituents","Market challenge to traditional products"]
CV["Commercialization efforts of a specific company (Choc Edge)","UK market context"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Utilizes simulation to test business models before real-world investment.
  • +Focuses on a specific, innovative technology (3D chocolate printing).

Limitations

The financial viability of simulated models may not perfectly reflect real-world market conditions or consumer adoption rates.

Reliability & validity

The validity of the simulation depends on the accuracy of the input parameters and the chosen simulation model. Reliability would be assessed by running the simulation multiple times to ensure consistent results.

Think critically

To what extent can the disruption observed in the chocolate industry be generalized to other consumer goods sectors utilizing similar additive manufacturing technologies?

05

Design Principles

"Technological advancements in production can redefine value chains and competitive landscapes."

This insight highlights how new manufacturing technologies can fundamentally alter established market dynamics. Designers and businesses should consider how supply chain structures, enabled by advanced production methods, can create competitive advantages and disrupt existing market leaders.

06

What This Means for Your Design

3D printing chocolate can change how chocolate is sold, making it easier for shops to offer unique, personalized chocolates that compete with fancy brands.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this study to justify exploring innovative supply chain models enabled by new manufacturing technologies in your design project.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

(2016). Investigating the feasibility of supply chain-centric business models in 3D chocolate printing: a simulation study. 'Elsevier BV'. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2015.07.026 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/beca7f55-5b77-48d1-973a-a30aafea4f2e/retailer-dominant-supply-chains-disrupt-high-end-chocolate-markets-with-3d-printing

Paragraph starter

This research demonstrates that advancements in manufacturing, such as 3D printing, can enable disruptive supply chain business models. For instance, a retailer-dominant model for 3D printed chocolates was found to potentially challenge traditional high-end products, suggesting that designers should consider how production technology can reshape market dynamics and create new competitive advantages.

09

Source

'Elsevier BV'

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

journal · 2016

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about retailer-dominant supply chains disrupt high-end chocolate markets with 3d printing?
When designing new products or business strategies, analyze how emerging manufacturing technologies can reshape supply chains and create opportunities for new market entrants or disruptors. Evidence: 'Elsevier BV' (2016).
Why does "Retailer-Dominant Supply Chains Disrupt High-End Chocolate Markets with 3D Printing" matter for design?
This insight highlights how new manufacturing technologies can fundamentally alter established market dynamics. Designers and businesses should consider how supply chain structures, enabled by advanced production methods, can create competitive advantages and disrupt existing market leaders.
How can designers apply this research?
When designing new products or business strategies, analyze how emerging manufacturing technologies can reshape supply chains and create opportunities for new market entrants or disruptors.
What were the main findings?
The retailer-dominant supply chain model is a potentially disruptive business model innovation enabled by 3D food printing technology.. The retailer-dominant model may pose a challenge to traditional high-end chocolate products.. The manufacturer-dominant model leads to increased manufacturer profits, while retailer profits remain stagnant.
What research method was used?
Simulation study.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2016 journal from 'Elsevier BV'.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When developing new product lines or entering new markets, consider how technologies like 3D printing can enable novel supply chain configurations that offer unique value propositions.
What are the limitations?
The study is based on a simulation and a specific UK-based provider, so real-world implementation may vary.
Is there evidence that supply chains affects design outcomes?
3D chocolate printing allows for new business models where retailers can gain significant advantage, potentially disrupting premium chocolate markets, while manufacturer-focused models benefit the manufacturer more than the retailer. This insight highlights how new manufacturing technologies can fundamentally alter est Source: 'Elsevier BV' (2016).
Where does this chocolate markets research apply?
Food manufacturing and retail, specifically 3D chocolate printing. It sits within commercial production research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

supply chains design research · evidence on supply chains · does supply chains improve design outcomes · chocolate markets studies for designers · supply chains and chocolate markets findings · commercial production research evidence