Digital transformation of agri-food SMEs in the North East of Italy

Abstract

The aim of this study is to provide a cross-section about the status of digital transformation process in agri-food sector. The thesis is written in collaboration with a project of the Agrifood Management & Innovation Lab, the observatory born within the Management department of Ca' Foscari University of Venice. After a broad introduction of the main concepts of digital transformation, an analysis on the adoption of digital technologies in agri-food sector is provided. Then, new primary data collected through a survey on 300 agri-food SMEs is presented. Here, the focus is shifted to the scenario of North-eastern Italy area. All the participants are asked about the level of digital integration into their internal and external business processes. Five selected companies are also deeply interviewed in order to get a more qualitative and extensive vision regarding the digitalisation of the agri-food sector in Triveneto. This brings the quali-quantitative analysis to an even greater and more detailed focus as well as reporting some concrete examples. Thus, the reader is provided with an understanding of the dynamics of the agribusiness sector through the reworking of existing literature and data, as well as the presentation of new data and information, specifically collected for this study.