Paradigm shift: do‐it‐yourself (DIY) invention and production of physical goods for use or sale

Abstract

Purpose There has been little explicit consideration of do‐it‐yourself (DIY) in previous manufacturing literature. This may be because traditional DIY is an outlet for physical goods that are made‐to‐forecast, such as boats kits for self‐assembly and personal use. However, since the beginning of the twenty‐first century, DIY has extended to the invention and the sale of physical goods, as well as their assembly and use. The purpose of this paper is to make a contribution to the manufacturing literature by providing an analysis of DIY invention and production of physical goods for use or sale (new‐DIY paradigm). Design/methodology/approach Literature review related to DIY invention and production of physical goods for use or sale; and its differences with the existing paradigm for creating physical goods: including enabling technologies and enabling thinking. Findings DIY invention and production is able to create physical goods, which are both original and economical, through open, distributed, minimal processes. Within the existing paradigm, by contrast, physical goods are created, which are either original or economical, through processes that are less open, less distributed, and less minimal than the processes of new‐DIY. Practical implications DIY invention, production, and sale of physical goods deploys technologies that are used within the existing paradigm for creating physical goods. The difference in outcomes is due to the different conceptualization of invention, production, and sales within the established paradigm. Originality/value The originality of the paper is that it provides an analysis of key aspects of DIY invention, production, and sales. The value of the paper is that it provides a starting point for researchers and practitioners seeking to determine how practices, technologies, and challenges of the existing paradigm can be related to DIY opportunities.