Research Proposal Structure Assignment Sample

Introduction :Of To investigate the role of 3D printing in promoting sustainability within UK automobile manufacturing industry: A Study on Volkswagen group.

Purpose Of The Study

Background:

Sustainability refers to the process of undertaking organization’s activity without creating negative impact on the environment and natural resources. 3D printing is the technology that includes manufacturing of physical product by using three dimensional digital models. This process is initiated by using thin layer of material, crushed plastic and other resources. Volkswagen is the leading automobile manufacturing company of UK which established in the year of 1837 by German labour front and currently, Thomas schater is the CEO of firm. The company is having annual revenue of 279.2 billion pound and the market share of Volkswagen is 25.9% (Description of Volkswagen, 2023). The company has adopted 3D printing in the year of 2022 and presently over 32% of product of company are manufactured through this process. This process has been selected with the aim of creating customer’s awareness regarding the sustainable products. This proposal is based on identifying the influence of 3D printing technology in reducing the wastage within Volkswagen. Various methodologies will be depicted through which all the relevant information will be gathered.

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Rationale

The current proposal will depict the role of 3D printing technology in managing sustainability within UK’s automobile manufacturing industry. This is considered as issue because organization’s goodwill is highly impacted by the activities undertaken for safeguarding the environment (Lam et al, 2020). In the current times, all the automobile industry 4.0 is switching towards adopting this technology which creates urgency to identify its impact on the natural resources. Thus, through thematic analysis this research could shed light on the influence of 3D technology in reducing the wastage and energy consumption within automobile industry.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Meaning of 3D printing and its significances within industry 4.0

According to Ahmed (2023) 3D printing refers to the process of creating three dimensional objects with the help of layering method. This process includes layering all the manufacturing material such as composites, plastics and bio material through which objects are created. Akram and Can ZÜLFİKAR (2020) stated that 3D printing helps is reducing the overall cost of production for the company. This process could be carried out without any moulds that have resulted into reducing production cost for the organization. This in turn leads profit maximization and thereby improves overall financial position as well as performance.

On the other hand, Alami et al, (2024) explicated that the benefit of economies of scale could not be received in this printing process. High volume production is expensive through this method as 3D printing restricts the benefit of conventional mean that further impacts the firm’s financial position adversely. According to Lam et al, (2020) 3D printing assists in creating positive environment impact, reducing wastage and promotes quality within industry 4.0 (Impact of 3D printing within Industry 4.0, 2023). Unlike traditional manufacturing, this printing could use large number of material to create a product that results in enhancing product quality while reducing environmental impact. Bali Swain and Yang-Wallentin (2020) claimed that 3D printing in the industry 4.0 aids in customer’s satisfaction and meanwhile enhances the firm’s reputation. With the help of Computer aided designs, business entities are able to undertake alterations in the product without increasing cost that result in providing customized facility to the customers and thereby evolves satisfaction among them. However, Bergmann et al, (2021) expressed that product manufactured through 3D printing does not confirm the accuracy which reduces the level of customer’s satisfaction. This indicates that final product may differ from the initial designs that lead to increasing risk of inaccurate product.

Factors restricting sustainability within UK’s automobile industry

According to Bhutta et al, (2022) there are large number of factors that restrict the sustainability within automobile industry. Increase in cost is one of the major issues that limit the promotion of sustainability within organization. It has believed that introduction of sustainability result into increasing firm’s cost by 5% which leads negative impact on the overall profitability position (Impact of sustainability on profit, 2024). For example; Volkswagen has experienced that cost of production has increased after shifting towards the sustainable measures which hampered the organization’s budget. Further, Boz, Korhonen and Koelsch Sand (2020) investigated that managing supply chain is another challenge in introducing sustainability. It is very difficult for the organization to effectively manage the supply chain processes which create difficulty in promoting sustainability. Due to the lack of transparency in manufacturing processes, waste reduction efforts, ESG strategies of suppliers, organizations are not able to integrate sustainability.

Chen et al, (2020) analysed that shareholder’s disagreement is another issue which impacts the integration of sustainable measures. Shareholders are interested in the financial position of the firm and introduction of environmental protection measures which increases the firm’s cost and reduces their profits. Dey et al, (2022) also depicted that sourcing sustainable resource is another challenge which restricts organization to adopt environment friendly operations. Manager faces issues in identifying the most effective and reasonable raw material through which sustainability could be promoted while managing firm’s cost.

Influence of 3D printing in reducing wastages and promoting sustainability

Based on perception of Ejsmont, Gladysz and Kluczek (2020) stated that 3D printing support in reducing carbon footprint that leads to promoting sustainability. The 3D printing is undertaken with the process of additive manufacturing that reduces the amount of carbon emission compared to subtractive processes. For example; Volkswagen is using this manufacturing process that helps in reducing the pollution and enhancing the overall firm’s goodwill. On the other hand, Gander et al, (2023) mentioned in their study that 3D printing releases very harmful and hazardous gases that pollute the natural resources. This process also includes emission of volatile organic compounds that create various health risks for others.

Moreover, Hanaysha et al, (2022) professed that 3D printing helps in reducing the energy consumption as well as material requirement and thereby places positive impact on the environment. It has identified that under 3D printing additional material are added when required which result in reducing wastages. Further the energy consumption in 3D technology is fewer than traditional machines that help in safeguarding electivity. On the other hand, Hossain et al, (2020) stated that 3D printing assists in reducing the manufacturing cost but 33% of final product does not provide high accuracy which ultimately leads more wastage. As all the process is undertaken through computer aided model. Thus, there is a difference between the expected and final design of product which increases the level of overall wastage. This also contributes towards increasing the firm’s cost and leads negative impact on the organization’s profitability.

According to view point of Januskaite et al, (2020) it has determined that 3D printing helps in promoting sustainable supply chain which results in creating positive impact on overall country’s natural resources. In the subtracting manufacturing, firm needs to source raw material from supplier that increases transportation and pollution within the country. However, the 3D printing includes the process of fabrication that refers to the manufacturing of compound part rather than sourcing. Consequently, it decreases the logistics and transportation cost within the country. This helps in safeguarding the natural resources of the country and aids in promoting the sustainability.

Research gap

Earlier studies have been initiated on identifying the need and significance of 3D printing in increasing profitability within industry 4.0 (Lodhi, Gill and Hussain, 2024). Focus has not been paid over identifying the impact of 3D printing on the sustainability which is the crucial requirement of each organization. So, the current literature will depict on the influence of 3D printing in initiating sustainability within operation of the manufacturing industry.

Aims and objective

Aim:

The aim behind conducting current study is to identify the influence of 3D printing in promoting sustainability within Volkswagen group.

Objective:

• To evaluate the concept of 3D printing and its importance in Industry 4.04.0.
• To identify the challenges of sustainability within UK’s automobile industry.
• To determine the impact of 3D printing in enhancing sustainability within Volkswagen.
• To recommend competent strategies to Volkswagen for promoting sustainability by utilizing 3D printing.

Research question

Q1. What is refers to 3D printing technology and its importance within Industry 4.04.0?

Q2. What are the various challenges that influence sustainability within Volkswagen?

Q3. What is the impact of 3D printing technology in promoting sustainability within the company?

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research type

Research type refers to the plan or scheme through which the activity of assessing information and resolving an issue is carried out. The two most common kind of research type includes quantitative research and the qualitative research (Ahmad et al, 2023). Qualitative research is the type of naturalistic inquiry that includes in-depth analysis of social phenomena. Quantitative research implies establishing variable relation as to test theories. In the context of identifying impact of 3 D printing, qualitative research will be initiated by the researcher. This method will be used as it helps in providing insight into human behaviour that aids in effectively understanding complex issue. Further, this method promotes flexibility that results in gaining more in-depth data regarding the research problem. The information regarding one’s perception could not be recorded in quantifiable manner results in opting for this method.

Research approach

Research approach implies a step wise procedure through which the data is collected, evaluated and interpreted. Inductive and deductive research is the two most common research approaches (Alharahsheh and Pius, 2020). In the context of determining influence of 3D printing, inductive approach will be utilised. This method promotes flexibility to modify research techniques based on collected data. Research approach allows large number of assumption and helps in deciding new theories based on collected data.

Research philosophy

Research philosophy refers to assumption related to manner through which data will be gathered. Interpretivism and positivism are the two major types of research philosophies (Bauer et al, 2021). In the context of depicting 3D printing impact, Interpretivism philosophy will be used. This philosophy has been selected as it is significant method for understanding the social phenomena, motivation and social situation of the individual. Further, Qualitative research and inductive method is effectively accompanied through this philosophy.

Data collection

This refers to the method through which information regarding the research issue is collected. Primary and secondary data is two methods through which all the relevant data could be gathered (Bloomfield and Fisher, 2022). In the context of identifying impact of 3D printing, both primary and secondary data will be undertaken by the researcher for the purpose of data gathering. Primary research includes gaining original data from the individual that has experienced the research issue. In this context, 30 managers of Volkswagen will be selected from whom data will be collected through questionnaires. Moreover secondary research will also undertake as to gain wide data in less time and cost. In this regard, various scholarly articles, journals and books will be analysed by the researcher.

Sampling

For understanding the impact of 3D printing in promoting sustainability within Volkswagen, 30 managers will be selected by using random sampling method. This method will be used as it helps in selecting sample without discrimination that will help in gaining more reliable and valid data.

Data analysis

Data analysis refers to method of structuring raw data in organized form on which numerical and conceptual techniques could be applied (Chandra et al, 2019). SPSS and thematic are two most common method through which data analysis process is carried out. In the context of identifying role of 3D printing in enhancing sustainability, thematic analysis will be used by researcher. This method assists in gaining in-depth information from the qualitative data that results in better understanding research issues. Further thematic analysis simplifies the interpretation process by displaying data in the form of pie chart and graphs.

Ethical consideration

Researcher will lays emphasis over undertaking all the activity in fair manner as to promote ethnicity. For maintaining ethnicity in primary research, consent form will be filled up by the respondent which ensures that no coercion or external forces have applied for gaining data. Further all the personal data of respondent will be stored in digital form as to protect from theft and misuse. While using secondary data, references will be provided at end as to ensure accuracy and validity of the collected information.

GANTT CHART

Implication Of Outcome

The results obtained through this research will help in creating awareness regarding various positive and the negative impact of 3D printing. The result will also helps in creating awareness within customers regarding the sustainable products. Outcomes will guide manager regarding the negative consequences of this technology and helps Volkswagen in adopting measures so that negative impact could be reduced and sustainability could be promoted. Further other organizations in automobile industry 4.0 will able to identify benefit of this technology which will assist them in taking accurate decision regarding technology integration. Managers will able to determine measures through which sustainability could be promoted by integrating 3D printing in firm’s operation. Moreover, other researchers will use this study as the base for conducting in-depth research in future.

REFERENCES

Books and Journals

• Ahmad, S., Wasim, S., Irfan, S., Gogoi, S., Srivastava, A. and Farheen, Z., 2023. Qualitative v/s. quantitative research-a summarized review.em>population,em>1(2), pp.2828-2832. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337101789_Qualitative_vs_Quantitative_Research)
• Ahmed, G.H., 2023. A review of “3D concrete printing”: Materials and process characterization, economic considerations and environmental sustainability.em>Journal of Building Engineering,em>66, p.105863. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366996138_A_review_of_3D_concrete_printing_Materials_and_process_characterization_economic_considerations_and_environmental_sustainability)
• Akram, M.R. and Can ZÜLFİKAR, A., 2020. Identification of factors influencing sustainability of buried continuous pipelines.em>Sustainability,em>12(3), p.960. (https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/3/960)
• Alami, A.H., Olabi, A.G., Khuri, S., Aljaghoub, H., Alasad, S., Ramadan, M. and Abdelkareem, M.A., 2024. 3D printing in the food industry: Recent progress and role in achieving sustainable development goals.em>Ain Shams Engineering Journal,em>15(2), p.102386.
• Alharahsheh, H.H. and Pius, A., 2020. A review of key paradigms: Positivism VS interpretivism.em>Global Academic Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences,em>2(3), pp.39-43. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090447923002757)
• Bali Swain, R. and Yang-Wallentin, F., 2020. Achieving sustainable development goals: predicaments and strategies.em>International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology,em>27(2), pp.96-106. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13504509.2019.1692316)
• Bauer, G.R., Churchill, S.M., Mahendran, M., Walwyn, C., Lizotte, D. and Villa-Rueda, A.A., 2021. Intersectionality in quantitative research: A systematic review of its emergence and applications of theory and methods.em>SSM-population health,em>14, p.100798. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8095182/)
• Bergmann, M., Schäpke, N., Marg, O., Stelzer, F., Lang, D.J., Bossert, M., Gantert, M., Häußler, E., Marquardt, E., Piontek, F.M. and Potthast, T., 2021. Transdisciplinary sustainability research in real-world labs: success factors and methods for change.em>Sustainability Science,em>16, pp.541-564. (https://i2insights.org/2022/01/18/success-for-transdisciplinary-real-world-labs/)
• Bhutta, U.S., Tariq, A., Farrukh, M., Raza, A. and Iqbal, M.K., 2022. Green bonds for sustainable development: Review of literature on development and impact of green bonds.em>Technological Forecasting and Social Change,em>175, p.121378.
• Bloomfield, J. and Fisher, M.J., 2023. Quantitative research design.em>Journal of the Australasian Rehabilitation Nurses Association,em>22(2), pp.27-30. (https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/tefoso/v175y2022ics004016252100809x.html)
• Boz, Z., Korhonen, V. and Koelsch Sand, C., 2020. Consumer considerations for the implementation of sustainable packaging: A review.em>Sustainability,em>12(6), p.2192. (https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/6/2192)
• Chandra, Y., Shang, L., Chandra, Y. and Shang, L., 2019. Inductive coding.em>Qualitative research using R: A systematic approach, pp.91-106.( https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332599843_Inductive_Coding)
• Chen, M.Y., Skewes, J., Woodruff, M.A., Dasgupta, P. and Rukin, N.J., 2020. Multi-colour extrusion fused deposition modelling: a low-cost 3D printing method for anatomical prostate cancer models.em>Scientific Reports,em>10(1), p.10004. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-67082-7)
• Dey, D., Srinivas, D., Panda, B., Suraneni, P. and Sitharam, T.G., 2022. Use of industrial waste materials for 3D printing of sustainable concrete: A review.em>Journal of cleaner production,em>340, p.130749. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652622003882)
• Ejsmont, K., Gladysz, B. and Kluczek, A., 2020. Impact of industry 4.04.0 on sustainability—bibliometric literature review.em>Sustainability,em>12(14), p.5650. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343361944_Industry_40_and_Sustainability)
• Gander, C., Shi, K., Nokhodchi, A. and Lam, M., 2023. A review of the benefits 3D printing brings to patients with neurological diseases.em>Pharmaceutics,em>15(3), p.892.( https://ouci.dntb.gov.ua/en/works/4EYZdRK4/)
• Hanaysha, J.R., Al-Shaikh, M.E., Joghee, S. and Alzoubi, H.M., 2022. Impact of innovation capabilities on business sustainability in small and medium enterprises.em>FIIB Business Review,em>11(1), pp.67-78. (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/23197145211042232)
• Hossain, M.A., Zhumabekova, A., Paul, S.C. and Kim, J.R., 2020. A review of 3D printing in construction and its impact on the labor market.em>Sustainability,em>12(20), p.8492. (https://research.nu.edu.kz/en/publications/a-review-of-3d-printing-in-construction-and-its-impact-on-the-lab)
• Januskaite, P., Xu, X., Ranmal, S.R., Gaisford, S., Basit, A.W., Tuleu, C. and Goyanes, A., 2020. I spy with my little eye: a paediatric visual preferences survey of 3D printed tablets.em>Pharmaceutics,em>12(11), p.1100. (https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/I-Spy-with-My-Little-Eye%3A-A-Paediatric-Visual-of-3D-Januskaite-Xu/13550a665e6e77c56b5cf9360152d10b7f7d4692)
• Lam, D.P., Martín-López, B., Wiek, A., Bennett, E.M., Frantzeskaki, N., Horcea-Milcu, A.I. and Lang, D.J., 2020. Scaling the impact of sustainability initiatives: a typology of amplification processes.em>Urban Transformations,em>2, pp.1-24. (https://urbantransformations.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42854-020-00007-9)
• Lodhi, S.K., Gill, A.Y. and Hussain, I., 2024. 3D Printing Techniques: Transforming Manufacturing with Precision and Sustainability.em>International Journal of Multidisciplinary Sciences and Arts,em>3(3), pp.129-138.

Online

• Description of Volkswagen. 2023. Online. Available through: < https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/company-3688>
• Impact of sustainability on profit. 2024. Online. Available through: < https://westminsteru.edu/student-life/the-myriad/impact-of-sustainability-reporting-on-firm-profitability.html#:~:text=This%20result%20implies%20that%20sustainability,low%20amounts%20of%20institutional%20ownership.>
• Impact of 3D printing within Industry 4.0. 2023. Online. Available through: < https://www.designtechproducts.com/articles/3d-printers-industry-4#:~:text=3D%20printing%20reduces%20waste%2C%20and,up%20piling%20up%20in%20landfills.>

Author Bio

Casey Bennett   7 years | PhD

My name is Casey Bennett and I have obtained my graduation, post-graduation and PhD from London Business School. I have been giving education to students for the last 7 years in the United Kingdom. I can help you deal with complex dissertation topics, assignments, and essays and finish them fast.