Digital Export

Founded in 2015, the Digital Export Observatory is focused on supporting:

• Italian companies in fine tuning export models (meaning the combination of sales channel, logistics channel, marketing  and communication strategy, payment systems, sources of funding, organizational aspects and customs regulatory compliance measures) enabled by digital technologies, aiming to spread a business culture that can provide greater awareness to Italian companies as to how digital export works and and the modern economic environment in which they operate;
• decision makers, the PS, and institutions in identifying appropriate actions, incentives and measures in favour of digital export      

2022/23 Research is divided into the following areas:

• Macroeconomic framework of Italian Export and the most important changes of the current global scenario, particularly of the effects on international trade and Italian exports;
• Estimate the share of Digital Export enabled by B2c, B2b, or B2b2c eCommerce channels through surveys and interviews with exporting companies and international eCommerce operators, and estimation of Digital Import;
• Describe the changes taking place in global value chains as a result of digital technologies, focusing on the impact on some of the value chain’s core activities, including inbound, outbound, and manufacturing logistics. The main focus is on sustainability and Italy's role in GVCs;
• Define a roadmap and KPIs to manage digital export projects, with particular focus on SMEs interested in embarking in similar enterprises;
• Develop an index able to define the attractiveness of the main Italian export target markets, through a structure defined by 3 primary dimensions: Economy & Policy, Trade, and eCommerce.

The extent of research is:

• Product sectors analyzed:
• All B2c sectors (food, fashion, furniture/interior decoration, design, baby care, beauty, consumer electronics);
• All B2b sectors (automotive, mechanics, mass consumer market, electric material, pharmaceutical, textile …);
• Markets examined in depth: primarily European markets with close-ups on some interesting emerging economies (e.g. Africa, China, South America etc.);
• Types of companies: Multinational, Large Italian companies and SMEs, family businesses, and trade associations.

The Observatory research is based on an empirical analysis conducted through surveys, case studies, ad hoc interviews with sector experts, analyses of scientific literature, and the most eminent secondary sources.