Analyzing firms’ dynamic capabilities to identify the actions for a sustainable future of the Italian wine sector

The UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, a global plan for a better future, requires actions. This study investigates how Italian wineries are adapting to these challenges through sustainability-oriented innovation by examining the role of dynamic capabilities. Specifically, the research analyses three dimensions of dynamic capabilities: sensing (understanding changes in the environment, including those related to sustainability), seizing (taking action to address these changes through innovative solutions) and reconfiguring (adapting internal processes and resources to support sustainability-oriented innovation). A survey of Italian wineries assessed the perceived importance of specific actions related to these dynamic capabilities. The results indicate high average scores across all three dimensions, as measured by a positivity index: sensing (0.80), seizing (0.82), and reconfiguring (0.83). Wineries prioritized information gathering through sustainability programs (sensing), investing in research and development, adopting advanced process technologies, and strategically marketing sustainable products (seizing), and upgrading existing processes and technologies (reconfiguring). Furthermore, using beta regression, the study reveals that participation in sustainable programs and supply chain integration significantly enhance positive responses, highlighting the importance of collaborative networks and partnerships in facilitating adaptation and sustainability-oriented innovations.