Is 3D Printing a myth and hype to achieve sustainability? Evidence from Chinese manufacturing firms

The immense sustainability challenges facing by organization today have warranted research effort towards exploring industry 4.0 technology such as 3D Printing for new business model innovation. But how firms could leverage 3D Printing achieve sustainability needs more empirical studies, in particular, there are disconnect between industry 4.0-enabling technology and circular economy for sustainability. We seek to contribute to the current literature by weaving the interconnectedness of abovementioned topics. Through 16 semi-structured interviews with Chinese manufacturing sector who has adopted, our result confirmed the role of 3D Printing contributes to sustainability. The result of our investigation shows that 3D Printing firms who successfully reap the benefit to realize circular economy principle will achieve economic benefit; firms realized all dimensions of sustainability when 3D Printing at product and product offerings base on circular economy principle are met in production process, evidenced by spare part and automobile industry. Our study concludes with theoretical and managerial implications.