The adoption of digital technologies has become a critical factor in innovation management, impacting the wood-furniture industry significantly. In today’s highly globalized and interconnected economy, this industry relies on efficient, sustainable digital production for customized services. The study assesses Italian wood-furniture companies’ digitalization level and strategies for digital transition through case study analysis. To this end, a comprehensive approach was taken, involving six semi-structured interviews, based on an interview protocol. These interviews were conducted between October and November 2021, engaging a diverse array of respondents ranging from entrepreneurs and business managers to representatives of trade associations, consultancy firms, and suppliers of advanced services for the sector. The results show a transformation within the furniture industry, transitioning from its conventional industrial framework towards embracing the disruptive changes catalyzed by the advent of Industry 4.0. This transition represents a pivotal shift towards a more agile, technologically-driven landscape, wherein digital transformation emerges as not merely an option but an imperative for survival and success. Particularly in the realm of Business-to-Consumer (B2C) sectors, where brand recognition and consumer engagement are paramount, the role of digital tools cannot be overstated. Failure to capitalize on the opportunities afforded by digitalization can indeed imperil the very existence of a company in today’s fiercely competitive marketplace, emphasizing the critical need for proactive adoption and integration of digital strategies across all facets of the business.
Strategic Interventions: Navigating Industry Development Trends Through Digitalization for Enhanced Competitiveness of Italian Wood-Furniture Companies
Fabio Musso;Laura Bravi;Alessio Travasi
2024
Abstract
The adoption of digital technologies has become a critical factor in innovation management, impacting the wood-furniture industry significantly. In today’s highly globalized and interconnected economy, this industry relies on efficient, sustainable digital production for customized services. The study assesses Italian wood-furniture companies’ digitalization level and strategies for digital transition through case study analysis. To this end, a comprehensive approach was taken, involving six semi-structured interviews, based on an interview protocol. These interviews were conducted between October and November 2021, engaging a diverse array of respondents ranging from entrepreneurs and business managers to representatives of trade associations, consultancy firms, and suppliers of advanced services for the sector. The results show a transformation within the furniture industry, transitioning from its conventional industrial framework towards embracing the disruptive changes catalyzed by the advent of Industry 4.0. This transition represents a pivotal shift towards a more agile, technologically-driven landscape, wherein digital transformation emerges as not merely an option but an imperative for survival and success. Particularly in the realm of Business-to-Consumer (B2C) sectors, where brand recognition and consumer engagement are paramount, the role of digital tools cannot be overstated. Failure to capitalize on the opportunities afforded by digitalization can indeed imperil the very existence of a company in today’s fiercely competitive marketplace, emphasizing the critical need for proactive adoption and integration of digital strategies across all facets of the business.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.