Opportunities for, and potential contribution of, social science research relating to the nature and development of Additive Manufacturing?

Smith, Alastair 2012. Opportunities for, and potential contribution of, social science research relating to the nature and development of Additive Manufacturing? [Project Report]. Cardiff: The Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability, Sustainability & Society (BRASS), Cardiff University.

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Analysis of both publicly available media and stakeholder opinion demonstrates that there is a strong multi- sector interest in Additive Manufacturing (AM) in the UK. As the technology has been developing for over 25 years, many issues and questions relevant to social science disciplines have emerged. However, these debates have been largely characterised by a lack of association with existing social science literature or firsthand rigorous and systematic investigation and analysis. For this reason, one of the primary findings of the study is that public narratives tend to provide an exaggerated impression of the current developments and potentials based on a limited range of anecdotal or case study evidence; impressions which stakeholders identify as giving rise to potential disillusionment among wider society. Part of this issue is grounded in the problems of definition and terminology applied to the wide variety of technologies encompassed by discussion. Further to this, there are clear areas where social science research can directly contribute value-adding empirical knowledge to stakeholders of the technology. In addition, AM technology and its associated possibilities and consequences also provide an opportune case study to inform wider social science kno wledge and theory.

Item Type:	Monograph (Project Report)
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability, Sustainability and Society (BRASS) Geography and Planning (GEOPL)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Publisher:	The Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability, Sustainability & Society (BRASS), Cardiff University
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2019 09:06
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/38302

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item