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Unveiling digitalisation in Italian viticulture : a field study on drivers and barriers

Panero, Martina ; De Bernardi, Paola ; Moggi, Sara and Pierce, Paul LU orcid (2025) In British Food Journal 127(13). p.500-516
Abstract

Purpose This study investigates the drivers and barriers to digitalisation in viticulture, focusing on the Italian wine sector. Although digital transformation is widely recognised as necessary for its potential to bring significant improvements to this industry, the determinants and barriers to this process are still unappreciated by research in the field. Design/methodology/approach Due to the emerging nature of the research field, the paper adopts an explorative field study based on focus groups involving a total of 36 participants as keynote actors in the wine sector industry, including entrepreneurs, wine producers, agronomists and representatives of wine consortia across Italy. Findings The study reveals that various factors can... (More)

Purpose This study investigates the drivers and barriers to digitalisation in viticulture, focusing on the Italian wine sector. Although digital transformation is widely recognised as necessary for its potential to bring significant improvements to this industry, the determinants and barriers to this process are still unappreciated by research in the field. Design/methodology/approach Due to the emerging nature of the research field, the paper adopts an explorative field study based on focus groups involving a total of 36 participants as keynote actors in the wine sector industry, including entrepreneurs, wine producers, agronomists and representatives of wine consortia across Italy. Findings The study reveals that various factors can promote the adoption and implementation of digital technologies in viticulture. One of them is the large availability of data, innovations that improve business models, and the quality and sustainability of wine production. However, the study also reveals perceived barriers regarding digital technologies, such as economic constraints, a lack of digital skills, increased complexity in the operation processes and a potential loss of wine tradition. Originality/value This paper explores an understudied area and uncovers several factors previously overlooked by academia. It points out inconsistencies between the perceived drivers and barriers, demonstrating the divergent perspectives among entrepreneurs regarding digitalisation.

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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Agriculture 4.0, Digital technologies, Digitalisation, Focus groups, Viticulture, Wine, Wine sector
in
British Food Journal
volume
127
issue
13
pages
17 pages
publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
external identifiers
  • scopus:105015795135
ISSN
0007-070X
DOI
10.1108/BFJ-11-2024-1135
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
98aca261-11ec-4da3-937c-c5da7c1da078
date added to LUP
2025-10-02 10:17:29
date last changed
2025-10-02 10:18:44
@article{98aca261-11ec-4da3-937c-c5da7c1da078,
  abstract     = {{<p>Purpose This study investigates the drivers and barriers to digitalisation in viticulture, focusing on the Italian wine sector. Although digital transformation is widely recognised as necessary for its potential to bring significant improvements to this industry, the determinants and barriers to this process are still unappreciated by research in the field. Design/methodology/approach Due to the emerging nature of the research field, the paper adopts an explorative field study based on focus groups involving a total of 36 participants as keynote actors in the wine sector industry, including entrepreneurs, wine producers, agronomists and representatives of wine consortia across Italy. Findings The study reveals that various factors can promote the adoption and implementation of digital technologies in viticulture. One of them is the large availability of data, innovations that improve business models, and the quality and sustainability of wine production. However, the study also reveals perceived barriers regarding digital technologies, such as economic constraints, a lack of digital skills, increased complexity in the operation processes and a potential loss of wine tradition. Originality/value This paper explores an understudied area and uncovers several factors previously overlooked by academia. It points out inconsistencies between the perceived drivers and barriers, demonstrating the divergent perspectives among entrepreneurs regarding digitalisation.</p>}},
  author       = {{Panero, Martina and De Bernardi, Paola and Moggi, Sara and Pierce, Paul}},
  issn         = {{0007-070X}},
  keywords     = {{Agriculture 4.0; Digital technologies; Digitalisation; Focus groups; Viticulture; Wine; Wine sector}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{13}},
  pages        = {{500--516}},
  publisher    = {{Emerald Group Publishing Limited}},
  series       = {{British Food Journal}},
  title        = {{Unveiling digitalisation in Italian viticulture : a field study on drivers and barriers}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-11-2024-1135}},
  doi          = {{10.1108/BFJ-11-2024-1135}},
  volume       = {{127}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}