DIGITAL MANUFACTURING: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE ITALIAN INDUSTRY

This thesis raises some questions about the level of innovation in Italian manufacturing companies. The aim of this study is to analyze how much digital technologies are diffused and what kind of impact they are having in this organizations in terms of business model, organizational structure, level of internationalization and business objectives. Something is happening in the world of manufacturing, someone call it technological progress some one else call it the third industrial revolution, but for sure from the time when digital innovation left the world of software to influence the world of hardware it has change the rules of the game. The digital manufacturing represents, today, the set of technologies with the highest potential, it induces companies to reconsidering their strategic positioning, organization, production and distribution processes and supply chains. The analysis links seven case studies, they are all companies operating in the mature sectors of Made In Italy such as: furniture – design, fashion – accessories and jewelry. They are characterized by different size and different business model but they all used the manufacturing to improve their business. The study observed how they take advantage of these technologies and how these technologies had and still have an impact on their business.