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Innovation 4.0 Policies in Italy: Strengths and Weaknesses of the Innovation Ecosystem of the “Transition 4.0” Plan from an International Perspective

Author

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  • Francesco Orazi

    (Department of Social Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy)

  • Federico Sofritti

    (Department of Economics and Law, Faculty of Economics, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy)

Abstract

Innovation 4.0 is a strategic lever of industrial policies. That is the reason why, over the last decade, many European countries have introduced national plans to implement it in their economic fabric. Within this context, this paper focuses on the effects of Industry 4.0 policies in Italy and Europe by presenting the results of a research study on the national and continental ecosystems of innovation. In particular, the study was conducted by involving the main key bodies introduced by the “Transition 4.0” plan in Italy: Competence Centers (CCs), Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs), and Punti Impresa Digitale (PID). The study adopted a qualitative–quantitative approach: an analysis of gray literature, semi-structured interviews, and a survey involving Italian and European DIHs were carried out. The results highlight an ambivalent scenario: on the one hand, the research suggests that the consolidation of the ecosystems of innovation is underway in Italy and relies on good organizational capacity; on the other hand, the international comparison indicates that the Italian system still suffers from a marked territorial and institutional fragmentation that needs to be addressed in the coming years.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Orazi & Federico Sofritti, 2024. "Innovation 4.0 Policies in Italy: Strengths and Weaknesses of the Innovation Ecosystem of the “Transition 4.0” Plan from an International Perspective," Societies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:14:y:2024:i:3:p:42-:d:1359918
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Müller, Julian Marius & Buliga, Oana & Voigt, Kai-Ingo, 2018. "Fortune favors the prepared: How SMEs approach business model innovations in Industry 4.0," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 2-17.
    2. Jose-Luis Hervás-Oliver & Jose Albors-Garrigos & Sofia Estelles-Miguel & Carles Boronat-Moll, 2018. "Radical innovation in Marshallian industrial districts," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(10), pages 1388-1397, October.
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