Can university-industry-government collaborations drive a 3-D printing revolution in Africa? A triple helix model of technological leapfrogging in additive manufacturing

Kolade, O, Adegbile, A ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7400-6718 and Sarpong, D, 2022. Can university-industry-government collaborations drive a 3-D printing revolution in Africa? A triple helix model of technological leapfrogging in additive manufacturing. Technology in Society, 69: 101960. ISSN 0160-791X

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Abstract

The protracted disruption of Covid-19 pandemic on global supply chains has renewed calls for a new model of manufacturing that removes the need for centralised high-volume production and large inventory stocking. Drawing ideas from the Triple Helix model of university-industry-government innovation, this paper analyses the prospects for a 3D manufacturing revolution in Africa, a continent which was was disproportionately affected in the rounds of international border restrictions imposed in response to the Omicron variant of the virus. Taking a conceptual approach supported with case illustrations, the paper reviews the evolution of 3D printing technologies, the disruptive impact they have had on the traditional supply chain and the global expansion of the 3D printing market. Highlighting the favourable conditions for technological leapfrogging within the African context, the paper proposes a new integrative framework that explains how the emergence of new hybrid organisations from the Triple Helix can drive a promising manufacturing future for the continent -with small and medium enterprises playing a key role.

Item Type: Journal article
Publication Title: Technology in Society
Creators: Kolade, O., Adegbile, A. and Sarpong, D.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: May 2022
Volume: 69
ISSN: 0160-791X
Identifiers:
Number
Type
10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.101960
DOI
S0160791X22001014
Publisher Item Identifier
1525589
Other
Rights: © 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Divisions: Schools > Nottingham Business School
Record created by: Linda Sullivan
Date Added: 16 Mar 2022 10:46
Last Modified: 11 Mar 2024 03:00
URI: https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/45900

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