Diffusion of additive manufacturing in Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the status of additive manufacturing within the Gauteng province of South Africa and identify factors that are motivating or prohibiting its uptake. The existing problem is that the South African manufacturing sector has experienced poor growth resulting in a contribution of 12 percent of GDP for the year 2014 (down from 19% in 1993). The comparatively poor performance of the manufacturing sector indicates its potential fragility and that some sort of intervention may be required. Experts are anticipating the global impact of additive manufacturing to be $550 billion by 2025 and as such, this could provide a solution. However, there is little information available about the adoption of additive manufacturing within South Africa. A concurrent procedure mixed-method design intent on converging cross-sectional data was applied throughout this research. This enabled a comprehensive analysis of the possible constructs that affected the diffusion of additive manufacturing. A random-cluster sampling technique was applied which made use of a survey to sample reality. The current state was evaluated based current theories of diffusion of innovation. It was evident that diffusion of additive manufacturing is occurring within the sample cluster however, a significant shortage of accurate information and knowledge is influencing the rate of diffusion. The research also found advertising to affect respondent s view of machine cost, opinion over machine brand and machine capability however, no dominant technology was found in the within the cluster. Information obtained from the survey was compiled with existing data to produce a Bass Model for the adoption of additive manufacturing machines within South Africa. The model predicts that the market will reach its full potential by 2040 with a peak in annual grow in 2023. The report concludes with a model incorporates existing theoretical frameworks and factors that are motivating or prohibiting the adoption of additive manufacturing.