Is 3D Printing a Threat to Global Trade?


Book Description

In the mid-2000s, the production of hearing aids shifted almost entirely to 3D printing. Using difference-in-differences and synthetic control methods, this paper examines the effects of this shift on trade flows. The analysis finds that trade increased roughly 60 percent following the introduction of 3D printing. Revealed comparative advantage was reinforced, with exports growing most rapidly for middle- and high-income countries. The analysis also finds that developing countries increased their imports of hearing aids as a result of the innovation, benefitting consumers. As a robustness check, the paper examines 35 products that are partially 3D printed and finds positive and significant effects on trade. The results counter widespread views that 3D printing will shorten supply chains and reduce trade.




Disruptive Technologies in International Business


Book Description

New technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), etc. are redefining business processes around the world at a rapid rate and resulting in both great opportunities and challenges for businesses. Though these technologies are extensively being used in developed countries, emerging economies are also not far behind. Disruptive Technologies in International Business advances the understanding of technological applications in business within an international paradigm. With its in-depth discussions of diverse topics such as the global value chain (GVC), environmental risk management, IoT, Surface Mobility, and anime, the book argues that technologies offer many advantages but there are accompanying risks, challenges, and disadvantages as well. The need of the hour is to address the impact of these technologies on the environment, society, and economy of the world. This book offers a collage of insights on how these technologies can potentially change the playing field in businesses and countries and contribute to the betterment of society. This book will provide business practitioners, international organizations, government officials, and policy makers with inspiration and new leads toward more efficient systems, policies, and operational frameworks in our increasingly technology-driven society.




Revolutionizing World Trade


Book Description

Almost 15 years ago, in The World is Flat, Thomas Friedman popularized the latest wave of globalization as a world of giant corporate supply chains that tripled world trade between 1990 and 2010. Major corporations such as Apple, Dell, and GE offshored manufacturing to low-cost economies; China became the world's factory, mass-producing and exporting computers and gadgets to Western shoppers. This paradigm of globalization has dominated global trade policy-making and guided hundreds of billions of dollars in business investments and development spending for almost three decades. But we are now on the cusp of a new era. Revolutionizing World Trade argues that technologies such as ecommerce, 3D printing, 5G, the Cloud, blockchain, and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing the economics of trade and global production, empowering businesses of all sizes to make, move, and market products and services worldwide and with greater ease than ever before. The twin forces of digitization and trade are changing the patterns, players, politics, and possibilities of world trade, and can reinvigorate global productivity growth. However, new policy challenges and old regulatory frameworks are stifling the promise of this most dynamic, prosperous, and inclusive wave of globalization yet. This book uses new empirical evidence and policy experiences to examine the clash between emerging possibilities in world trade and outdated policies and institutions, offering several policy recommendations for navigating these obstacles to catalyze growth and development around the world.




Global Business Strategy


Book Description

Global Business Strategy looks at the opportunities and risks associated with staking out a global competitive presence and introduces the fundamentals of global strategic thinking. The authors demonstrate how a company should change and adapt its domestic business model to achieve a competitive advantage as it expands globally. Our framework includes a company’s business model, the strategic decisions a company needs to make as it globalizes its operations, and globalization strategies for creating a competitive advantage. A business model has four principal dimensions: market participation, the value proposition, the supply chain infrastructure, and its management model.




The Elgar Companion to the World Trade Organization


Book Description

This comprehensive Companion provides an extensive guide to understanding the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its impact on the global economy. Addressing the challenges facing the WTO amidst a rapidly evolving landscape, the book delves into the diverse trade policies of countries and regions, providing rare insights into their impact on the global trade governance frameworks.




3D Printing


Book Description

3D Printing: A Revolutionary Process for Industry Applications examines how some companies have already adopted 3D printing, gives guidance on critical areas such as manufacturing supply, and traces the lifecycle of 3D printing as well as cost drivers and influences. The author leverages his experience in leading engineering firms to bring together an industry-by-industry guide to the potentials of 3D printing for large-scale manufacturing and engineering. The book provides all the skills and insights that a Chief Engineer would need to address complex manufacturing problems in the real-world using 3D printing technology. As 3D printing is a rapidly growing area with the potential to transform industries, the potential for large-scale adoption involves complex systems crossing engineering disciplines. In order to use 3D printing to solve manufacturing problems in this context, an array of expertise and knowledge about technology, suppliers, the uses of 3D printing by industry, 3D printing lifecycle and cost drivers must be assembled. This book accomplishes that by introducing 3D printing technology with specific references to 18 industry sectors. Covers a range of 18 industries in forensic detail, giving the 'what, why, when, who, where and how' of 3D printing technology Discusses how large companies have already adopted 3D printing for the design and production of complex parts Gives guidance on essential issues in industry, including manufacturing supply Details the conversion of traditional design and production processes to 3D printing technology Helps companies lower costs and increase product quality through 3D printing




3D Printing and International Trade


Book Description

3D printing technologies have attracted the attention of the trade policy community for their potential to disrupt international trade. It is argued that greater cross-border exchange in design files for local printing may lead to less trade in physical goods. New evidence presented in this paper suggests quite the opposite: that the adoption of 3D printing technologies, proxied by measures of imports of 3D printers, appears to be complementary to goods trade. On average, an increase of around USD 14 000 in imports of 3D printers is associated with a USD 3.3 million increase in the value of exports of 3D printable goods. Similar dynamics are found for imports of 3D printable goods. Overall, this implies that the wider adoption of the technology has, at present, limited implications for the ongoing debate on the renewal of the WTO Moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions as it is unlikely to result in loss of goods trade and traditional tariff revenue.




International Business in Times of Crisis


Book Description

International Business in Times of Crisis classifies studies of crises relevant to international business research following a global pandemic which exposed systems failures and fragilities closely across global economic, financial, political, and social systems.




Review of the Role of Trade in the Work of the Fund


Book Description

This paper outlines key changes in the global trade landscape in recent years, reviews the role of the Fund in this area, and outlines a trade strategy for the Fund going forward. The analysis points to three key messages. First, while trade has been resilient vis-à-vis recent global shocks, the deteriorating trade policy environment poses risks to the current levels of prosperity. Second, the Fund has responded quickly to key trade developments in its multilateral surveillance, but attention to trade policy has declined pointing to the need of improved expertise. Third, a reinvigorated trade strategy for the Fund would help country authorities to address key challenges, including adjusting to structural changes associated with climate change and new technologies; promoting policy coherence between trade and non-trade objectives such as climate, inequality, and security; and managing rising geopolitical tensions and risks of geo-economic fragmentation.




Logistics 4.0 and Future of Supply Chains


Book Description

This book provides a detailed theoretical background of Logistics 4.0 using real-world examples and case studies and proposes a methodological framework to understand the technological revolutions happening in the present day from the perspective of logistics management. With the fourth industrial revolution, new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, 3D printers and the Internet of Things started to take greater prominence in the world of business. One of the sectors most affected by changes brought on by this Industry 4.0 is logistics, which has given rise to the concept of Logistics 4.0. Covering a wide range of topics on Logistics 4.0, such as warehousing, big data, 3D printing, robotics and cloud computing, this book would be a valuable read for those involved in logistics management, academics and students in the areas of supply chain management, logistics, industry 4, and big data. .