I4.0, 3D printing, deglobalisation and new manufacturing clusters: The view from Australia. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rainnie, Al
• Is Part Of: Economic and labour relations review. Volume 32:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 115
• Page End: 133
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Advanced manufacturing -- fourth industrial revolution -- i4.0 -- manufacturing clusters -- nearshoring -- new technologies -- platform capitalism -- three-dimensional printing; Australia -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Industrial relations -- Australia -- Periodicals; Economics -- Periodicals; Industrial relations -- Periodicals; 331
• DOI: 10.1177/1035304620981429
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1035-3046

Abstract

Before the COVID-19 pandemic erupted onto the world stage, a new narrative was apparently beginning to emerge about the impact of i4.0 and new technologies in general, and three-dimensional printing in particular, on the future of work and employment. This was to have particular geographical implications for the manufacturing sector in particular. Proponents of i4.0 also suggested that this process, particularly in manufacturing, would promote the re-emergence of patterns of clustering. Developments in advanced manufacturing, particularly three-dimensional printing, would accelerate and reinforce these tendencies. This article looks at the role that three-dimensional printing is supposed to play in the new world, and in particular, critically evaluates its role in reinforcing the trend towards deglobalisation on the one hand, and, on the other, new clusters of manufacturing industry. JEL code: O33