Abstract
This article aims at investigating the diffusion of digital technologies related to Industry4.0 (I4.0) within a regional system – the Veneto region in Italy – with strong manufacturingspecialization and significant weight of small and medium-sized enterprises SMEs. Taking amicro-economic perspective and relying on a unique database representative of the regionalfirms’ population, we analyse the digital technology innovation diffusion in the regional industrialsystem. Linking the data on the adoption of digital technologies with firms’ performancesand employment behaviour, we discuss the main features that distinguish the adopting firms,first of all the role of human capital as key driver in digital innovation. Indeed, firms adoptingI4.0 technologies are not only more characterized by workers with higher competences andeducational profiles but are also those showing higher productivity, employment growth anda shared value strategy. In terms of policy implications we argue that industrial policies forsupporting technological change within I4.0 should go hand in hand with policies for trainingfirms’ human capital and policies favouring internationalization processes.
Published Version
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