Purpose This paper aims to shed light on the relevant benefits that collaborations with external innovation drivers can offer to companies in traditional sectors to embark on a twofold path oriented toward both a sustainable horizon and digital transformation (DT) goals. Design/methodology/approach This work describes the outcomes of the METROPOLIS project, financed by the Economic Development Ministry (MISE), to support small and medium enterprises in the DT process. The project involves the collaboration between the University of Naples Federico II and Palescandolo Lavorazioni Siderurgiche (PLS), an enterprise in the shipbuilding sector. Findings The project’s results highlight the complexity of the required interventions and show that DT is necessary but not sufficient condition to improve performance. Therefore, it is crucial to implement an appropriate decision support system based on advanced methodologies that can efficiently handle the system’s complexity, managing objectives oriented on efficiency and sustainability. Hence, the authors developed an original optimization approach to combine the need to ensure good production performances with sustainability-oriented objectives. Originality/value This study emphasizes the complex path necessary to radically transform companies’ processes across digital and sustainable paradigms through a real project experience. In particular, it demonstrates that efficiency and sustainability objectives may conflict, and multicriteria approaches may help overcome this. Hence, it may provide insights for stakeholders and researchers involved in DT and green transition processes.
Driving digital transformation to promote efficiency in a sustainable perspective: evidence from a shipbuilding company
Cavola, Manuel
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
2025-01-01
Abstract
Purpose This paper aims to shed light on the relevant benefits that collaborations with external innovation drivers can offer to companies in traditional sectors to embark on a twofold path oriented toward both a sustainable horizon and digital transformation (DT) goals. Design/methodology/approach This work describes the outcomes of the METROPOLIS project, financed by the Economic Development Ministry (MISE), to support small and medium enterprises in the DT process. The project involves the collaboration between the University of Naples Federico II and Palescandolo Lavorazioni Siderurgiche (PLS), an enterprise in the shipbuilding sector. Findings The project’s results highlight the complexity of the required interventions and show that DT is necessary but not sufficient condition to improve performance. Therefore, it is crucial to implement an appropriate decision support system based on advanced methodologies that can efficiently handle the system’s complexity, managing objectives oriented on efficiency and sustainability. Hence, the authors developed an original optimization approach to combine the need to ensure good production performances with sustainability-oriented objectives. Originality/value This study emphasizes the complex path necessary to radically transform companies’ processes across digital and sustainable paradigms through a real project experience. In particular, it demonstrates that efficiency and sustainability objectives may conflict, and multicriteria approaches may help overcome this. Hence, it may provide insights for stakeholders and researchers involved in DT and green transition processes.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
