An Empirical Analysis of the Digital Maturity of Companies within Assolombarda

Digital transformation is a key driver of competitiveness and innovation, requiring firms to integrate digital technologies into their strategies, processes and organizational structures. In this context, digital maturity, defined as the ability to effectively adopt and leverage digital solutions, represents a critical dimension for assessing firms’ readiness to face technological change. This thesis combines a theoretical analysis of digital transformation, including the evolution from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 and the role of enabling technologies, with an empirical study conducted on a sample of 44 firms located in Assolombarda’s “Quadrilatero”. The empirical analysis is based on the “Industry 4.0 Test”, a structured assessment model developed by Politecnico di Milano, which evaluates digital maturity across eight business processes and four dimensions: execution, organization, control and technology. The results reveal an overall medium level of digital maturity, with stronger performance in execution and organizational capabilities, and significant weaknesses in technological adoption and data-driven control systems. Moreover, digital maturity is shown to be heterogeneous across business functions, with higher levels in core activities such as production and design, and lower levels in areas such as supply chain and logistics. The study also identifies the main barriers to digital transformation, including lack of internal resources, high costs and cultural resistance, as well as the fragmentation of digital initiatives due to the absence of integrated strategies. The findings contribute to the academic debate by confirming the multidimensional and systemic nature of digital maturity, while offering practical insights for managers and policymakers. In particular, the research emphasizes the need for integrated strategies, stronger data governance and continuous investment in skills to support a more effective and sustainable digital transformation.