Measuring human IT agility and firms' digitalization using POSET: evidence from Italy

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study is to provide a detailed picture of the digitalization propensity and human IT agility of Italian SMEs, verifying whether companies are pursuing coherent and reliable choices for these dimensions and whether digitalization choices affect human IT agility.Design/methodology/approachUsing a POSET approach, this study constructs two nonaggregative multidimensional indicators of human information technology (IT) agility and firms' digitalization. The analysis is based on the microdata provided by ISTAT relating to 4,682 Italian manufacturing companies.FindingsThe results show the existence of a strong relationship between digitalization propensity and human IT agility. However, the analysis shows that companies are characterized by a low level of digitalization propensity and human IT agility. At the same time, the findings highlighted that the managerial choices adopted by companies appear to be inconsistent with respect to the two multidimensional indicators.Practical implicationsThis study has important implications for managers and policymakers by suggesting acting specific policies to promote a better implementation of digitalization that considers the key role of human IT agility.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing literature on organizational agility and digitalization by providing a detailed picture of the Italian manufactured SMEs. At the same time, the POSET approach allows to aggregate a lot of information in one or more indicators without neglecting the value of each dimension faced with the extreme heterogeneity of companies' profiles.

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“…Number of enterprises with R&D activities [50] Reflects talent investment Number of enterprises with R&D activities [50] Percentage of businesses with e-commerce trading activities [51] Reflects infrastructure investment R&D funding [50] Computers per 100 people [52] Number of websites per 100 businesses [52] Digital Output Revenue from sales of new products in manufacturing [53] Reflects the output of technical and economic benefits Number of valid invention patents [53] Operating income [53] Unit energy consumption [54] Reflects the output of ecological benefits Investment completed in industrial pollution control [55]…”