How makers responded to the PPE shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis focused on the Hauts-de-France region

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the confinement of populations in France on the one hand and to shortages of equipment on the other hand (in particular Personal Protective Equipment). The makers therefore mobilized worldwide to produce this medical equipment. In the Hauts-de-France region, a group of makers organized to produce face shields for hospitals, public health and social care institutions and also for retailers. Our analysis of the collaborative messaging room used to coordinate the production of face shields was completed by the interview of active makers. It was based on an original tool-based integrated and hybrid (quantitative/qualitative) methodology. That work enabled us to update the profile of the participants, the intensity of their contribution, the nature of the innovation implemented, the coordination mechanisms, the associated difficulties and the role of technologies in the makers' response.