Digital transformation in family-owned winery SMEs: an exploratory analysis in the South-Italian context

Alessandra Costa, Angelo Presenza and Tindara Abbate

European Journal of Innovation Management, 2023, vol. 26, issue 7, 527-551

Abstract: Purpose - This work aims to offer a better understanding of the inevitable challenges related to the digital transformation in the family-owned low-tech SMEs, examining the role assumed by familiness in this specific context. To this end, it examines the main factors that influence the adoption and implementation of digital technologies in the family-owned low-tech SMEs. Design/methodology/approach - The study uses a multiple case studies approach, by investigating the case of family-owned low-tech SMEs operating in the winery sector and located in the South-Italy area. Findings - Based on the empirical evidence, findings show how familiness influence the digital transformation of family-owned SMEs and highlight three main factors – individual, process and organization – relevant for the introduction and use of digital technologies in the productive and innovative activities of these organizations. Originality/value - This paper fills the research gap existing in the literature on the family business. Firstly, it focuses on the digital transformation phenomenon and underlines how familiness, within family-owned low-tech SMEs, can differently influence the firm's innovation processes primarly based on the use of digital technologies oriented to enable business improvements. Then, it identifies diverse dimensions that can act as “barriers” or “facilitators” for adopting advanced digital technologies within the organizations here examined.

Keywords: Digital transformation; Familiness; Low-tech SMEs; Wine industry; Digital transformation factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ejimpp:ejim-02-2023-0108

DOI: 10.1108/EJIM-02-2023-0108

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