PONE-D-23-43486Optimization of 3D printing supply chain in the era of live streaming e-commercePLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Tang,

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Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Partly

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: N/A

Reviewer #2: N/A

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: No

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

PLOS ONE does not copyedit accepted manuscripts, so the language in submitted articles must be clear, correct, and unambiguous. Any typographical or grammatical errors should be corrected at revision, so please note any specific errors here.

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: First of all, I appreciate the opportunity to review the paper Optimization of 3D printing supply chain in the era of live streaming e-commerce. The paper deals with a very interesting problem.

Suggestions are below:

The Abstract should be improved. The more about motivation, methods, results, and findings is missing. “Live streaming e-commerce” must be mentioned in the abstract.

The last paragraph in the introduction section should be a structure of the paper (several sentences for each section). This is missing.

It is necessary to understand the purpose and aim of the paper as well as its "position" in previous research (also gap analysis).

The separate section Practical and Theoretical Implications (or Discussion) is missing. The existing section Discussion is very modest. This confirms the lack of scientific and practical contribution.

The paper is not written in a scientific manner. For example, see Section 3. Explanations are missing.

The methodology is not clear and sufficiently explained. Argumentation is missing.

Results and findings are questionable.

Scientific contributions are also questionable.

Also, the conclusion section is not on a satisfactory level. The conclusion in scientific papers is very important.

o Limitations of your research must be emphasized

o Future research directions must be reinforced.

Suggested references

https://doi.org/10.1080/13675567.2022.2037125

https://doi.org/10.1108/EOR-01-2023-0004

Jiang, F., Tian, S. Q., Sremac, S., & Huskanović, E. (2023). Analyzing Traceability Models in E-Commerce Logistics: A Multi- Channel Approach. J. Ind Intell., 1(4), 203-218. https://doi.org/10.56578/jii010402

Fazlollahtabar, H. (2022). Mathematical Modeling for Sustainability Evaluation in a Multi-Layer Supply Chain. J. Eng. Manag. Syst. Eng., 1(1), 2-14. https://doi.org/10.56578/jemse010102

Reviewer #2: In this paper, the authors have explored the uniqueness of the 3D printing supply chain for metal and non-metal products, and calculated the utility equilibrium point between private and corporate live streaming 3D printing. The research results show that corporate live 3D printing mode is more suitable for both polymer printing and polymer-metal hybrid printing. But private live 3D printing mode can still meet the needs of some consumers. This change will not only create a new consumption model, but also reshape our global economic system, making it more resilient, flexible and localized. This will also stimulate the further development of 3D printing technology.

In my opinion, the idea of the manuscript is interesting and can be considered as a candidate for publication in the journal. However, to further justify why this paper should be published, the authors must address the following queries and comments:

1. The current abstract should be greatly improved as it does not reveal the novelty of the current study.

2. Can the authors provide more details on how the utility equilibrium point between private and corporate live streaming 3D printing was calculated?

3. What specific criteria were considered when comparing the suitability of corporate and private live 3D printing modes for polymer and polymer-metal hybrid printing?

4. Could you elaborate on the analysis of consumer needs that led to the conclusion that private live 3D printing mode can still meet the needs of some consumers?

5. The introduction of Section 3.1 is very poor. Improve it.

6. In what ways does the transition to a corporate live 3D printing mode create a new consumption model, and how is this different from the current models?

7. How does the proposed shift in 3D printing modes contribute to making the global economic system more resilient, flexible, and localized? Can you provide specific examples or mechanisms?

8. What are the potential implications for localized production and supply chain dynamics as a result of the shift to a corporate live 3D printing mode?

9. In terms of comparison with previous studies, the discussion is not acceptable. It must be greatly improved during revision.

10. Can you elaborate on how the proposed changes are expected to stimulate further development in 3D printing technology? Are there specific areas or aspects that will see accelerated growth?

11. Did the study take into account the environmental impact of the different 3D printing modes, especially considering the increasing focus on sustainability in manufacturing?

12. What limitations or constraints were encountered during the research, and how might they have influenced the study's findings and conclusions?

13. How do the research results suggest potential changes in industry practices related to 3D printing, and are there specific recommendations for practitioners based on the findings?

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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Optimization of 3D printing supply chain in the era of live streaming e-commerce

PONE-D-23-43486R1

Dear Dr. Tang,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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If your institution or institutions have a press office, please notify them about your upcoming paper to help maximize its impact. If they’ll be preparing press materials, please inform our press team as soon as possible -- no later than 48 hours after receiving the formal acceptance. Your manuscript will remain under strict press embargo until 2 pm Eastern Time on the date of publication. For more information, please contact onepress@plos.org.

Kind regards,

Rehana Naz

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. If the authors have adequately addressed your comments raised in a previous round of review and you feel that this manuscript is now acceptable for publication, you may indicate that here to bypass the “Comments to the Author” section, enter your conflict of interest statement in the “Confidential to Editor” section, and submit your "Accept" recommendation.

Reviewer #1: All comments have been addressed

Reviewer #2: All comments have been addressed

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2. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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3. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: N/A

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4. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

PLOS ONE does not copyedit accepted manuscripts, so the language in submitted articles must be clear, correct, and unambiguous. Any typographical or grammatical errors should be corrected at revision, so please note any specific errors here.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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6. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: The paper should be accepted. All comments from the first round are done. No additional suggestion. Congratulations!

Reviewer #2: All my queries have been addressed by the authors. The revised version can be accepted for publication.

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7. PLOS authors have the option to publish the peer review history of their article (what does this mean?). If published, this will include your full peer review and any attached files.

If you choose “no”, your identity will remain anonymous but your review may still be made public.

Do you want your identity to be public for this peer review? For information about this choice, including consent withdrawal, please see our Privacy Policy.

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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