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

Purpose – The 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/approach – Using 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. Findings – The 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 implications – This 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/value – This 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.