A new business model for footwear enterprises: Bespoke shoes. The Riviera del Brenta Case

Abstract

This thesis has the aim at analysing a new business model in which traditional manufacturing and digital technologies work in symbiosis in order to allow companies to realise bespoke products. In particular, the focus will be on the Luxury Footwear District of the Riviera del Brenta: actually, national and international luxury brands have chosen the district because of its long history, tradition, skilled artisans, high quality, and Made in Italy products. On the other hand, digital technologies have invaded each industry, modifying the way companies do business, and allowing them to realise bespoke products. The footwear industry is an example of the union between traditional manufacturing and digital technologies: a binomial which is able to realise a strong personalisation, both involving technologies and customers. The first chapter describes the evolution of the relationship between production and consumption, in comparison with the evolution of technology; the second chapter presents the Luxury Footwear District of the Riviera del Brenta – a district 4.0; the third chapter analyses a new business model with the objective of creating bespoke shoes; finally, in the fourth chapter some case studies are analysed in order to verify the level of digital technologies in manufacturing enterprises and the feasibility of the new business model.