The emergence of distributed manufacturing
(DM) is examined as a new form of localised production, distinct from
previous manifestations of multi-domestic and indigenous production.

Supply network (SN) configuration and
infrastructural provisioning perspectives were used to examine the
literature on established localised production models as well as DM. A
multiple case study was then undertaken to describe and explore the DM
model further. A maximum variation sampling procedure was used to select
five exemplar cases.

Three main contributions emerge from this
study. First, the research uniquely brings together two bodies of
literature, namely SN configuration and infrastructure provisioning to
explore the DM context. Second, the research applies these theoretical
lenses to establish the distinctive nature of DM across seven dimensions
of analysis. Third, emerging DM design rules are identified and
compared with the more established models of localised production,
drawing on both literature and DM case evidence.

This study provides a rich SN configuration
and infrastructural provisioning view on DM leading to a set of design
rules for DM adoption, thus supporting practitioners in their efforts to
develop viable DM implementation plans.

The authors contribute to the intra- and
inter-organisational requirements for the emerging DM context by
providing new perspectives through the combined lenses of SN
configuration and infrastructural provisioning approaches.