Industry 4.0 Technologies and Internationalization: Insights from Italian Companies
International Business in the Information and Digital Age
ISBN: 978-1-78756-326-1, eISBN: 978-1-78756-325-4
Publication date: 10 December 2018
Abstract
The contemporary dynamics impose companies to both innovate and internationalize at the same time while remaining competitive in the international marketplace. With this context in mind, Industry 4.0 technologies have the potential to increase the competitiveness of companies, leading to a new era of “Manufacturing Renaissance.” Recently, conceptual studies have speculated on possible impacts of the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in terms of international business. However, empirical studies on this topic are still lacking. Through a multiple case study approach, this study presents exploratory qualitative research investigating the relationship between Industry 4.0 and the internationalization of companies. The analysis of 16 Italian manufacturing exporting companies, which have adopted some of these technologies, has revealed a more intriguing relationship compared to the one presented in current literature, and thus has opened avenues for future research on this issue.
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Acknowledgements
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the region Friuli Venezia Giulia under the project “The drivers of international competitiveness of manufacturing companies in Industry 4.0” under Grant Art. 5, c. 29-33, LR 34/2015.
Citation
Chiarvesio, M. and Romanello, R. (2018), "Industry 4.0 Technologies and Internationalization: Insights from Italian Companies", van Tulder, R., Verbeke, A. and Piscitello, L. (Ed.) International Business in the Information and Digital Age (Progress in International Business Research, Vol. 13), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 357-378. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1745-886220180000013015
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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