Il ruolo della digitalizzazione nel processo di internazionalizzazione delle imprese manifatturiere italiane

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the influence of digitisation on the internationalization process. Estimates based on a sample of Italian manufacturing firms provide econometric evidence supporting the hypothesis that adoption and use of digital technologies affect enterprises' exporting behaviour. In particular, the front-end digital technologies, such as web site, social network, e-commerce, have a much higher effect on the decision to export than those integrated with operational processes (electronic information sharing, rfid, eInvoices, etc.). ICT competences and training investments to upgrade digital skills have a not significant influence as well. If innovation characteristics are considered, firms introducing organizational innovation together with front-end digital technologies are more likely to export. Some policy implications of the study are finally discussed.