Evaluating additive manufacturing success factors for the aviation industry: an interpretive structural modelling approach

This study explored the factors that might affect the emerging additive manufacturing (AM) industry, specifically the aviation industry. Additive manufacturing involves the creation of parts using a layer-by-layer printing process to build a part. Historically, AM has been used for prototyping; however, recently, technology has evolved into full-scale production. However, there are issues that hamper the widespread production of aviation parts. Using interpretive structural modelling (ISM) methodology, this study explored the mutual influences and consequences among different AM attributes that affect the wide-scale use of technology. The study found that the most important benefit of AM is weight reduction, with intellectual property rights being the least important. This study contributes to the literature on AM, specifically for the aviation industry, and outlines the most important attributes that management and regulators should focus on to advance this emerging technology.