The growing inequalities in Italy – North/South – and the increasing dependency of the successful North upon German and French industries

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the impact of the adoption of 4.0 technologies and of the Italian Government Plan on the Italian industrial structure and on work organisation and workers' conditions. The Italian industrial structure is strongly unbalanced at a territorial level, because it is concentrated in the Northern country, while the South of the country is at a great disadvantage: the industrial and employment divide is therefore very evident. The adoption of 4.0 technologies and the Italian government's plan risk further aggravating this imbalance. Northern Italian industry, however, is also a cause for concern, as it is increasingly dependent on the supply chains of German, and to some extent French, industry. The consequences of the implementation of Industry 4.0 at the factory level on working conditions are negative for workers as it leads to an increase in work rhythms, an increase in workloads, a greater control over work performance and less autonomy for workers. In general, in fact, our research has shown a strong intertwining between 4.0 technologies and the organisational model of Lean Production, an intertwining aimed at increasing the exploitation of workers.