Sardinian companies continue to invest, still too little, in digital technologies and innovation . In 2024, only 1,161 island companies made at least one investment in digital technology—in innovative technologies, organizational models, and business processes—with growth of 0.4% between 2023 and 2024.
The island's feeble growth is eighth in the national ranking , opened by Basilicata's +3.1% and Sicily's 2.4%, against a national average of +0.6%, closed by Umbria's -2.4%.
This was revealed by an analysis by the Research Office of Confartigianato Imprese Sardegna, based on ISTAT data, regarding the digitalization of businesses between 2023 and 2024.
Specifically, 30.9% of small businesses have introduced at least one product innovation, while process innovation is more widespread, accounting for 50.2% of cases. The analysis also reveals that only 29.3% of Sardinian businesses have invested in staff training (third to last in Italy) and that 52.7% of professionals with high levels of digital skills are difficult to find in the regional market (Italian average: 53.5%). The report also reveals that approximately 1,200 artisan businesses with employees use technologies related to Artificial Intelligence.
"In recent years, businesses have made progress, although it's still insufficient to address crises and new markets," observes Giacomo Meloni, President of Confartigianato Imprese Sardegna , "so it's clear how crucial it remains to support businesses in their daily journey of innovation, renewal, and research ." "Only in this way can the island's entire economic system become increasingly efficient and ready to address sudden changes," Meloni continues, "like the ones we're experiencing these days, to which we must learn to adapt."
According to a survey by Unioncamere and the Tagliacarne Study Center, nationwide, 35% of Southern Italian businesses plan to make Industry 4.0 investments over the next three years to bridge the digital divide, compared to the national average of 32.8% . Female-owned businesses, however, are having a harder time making up ground on digitalization, with only 30% aiming to invest in these technologies by 2027. Those planning new Industry 4.0 investments are primarily manufacturing companies (40.6%) and, more generally, large production facilities (67.6%).
The propensity for innovation among Sardinian manufacturing industries, unfortunately still insufficient, is also confirmed by the residual number of patents filed with the Chambers of Commerce . In 2023, only 7 were registered, compared to 12 the previous year, a decrease of 43.26%. Overall, in Italy, these registrations grew from 4,773 in 2022 to 4,780 in 2023, a percentage increase of 0.13%, or 6 more filings.
"It's no longer time to wonder whether it's worthwhile to innovate," the President emphasizes. "Today, the real question is: what is the cost of not doing so? Companies that postpone technological transition are already facing significant consequences in terms of loss of competitiveness. Innovation doesn't just mean adopting new technologies, but also investing in staff training and updating internal skills ."
(Unioneonline/vl)