Table 3

Variable measures and description

VariableMeasureType
Dependent variablesHas the adoption of the I4.0 technologies 
CP in design (CP_DES)Brought a more active role of customer participation in the design of the productsLikert scale (1–5)
CP in production (CP_PROD)Brought a more active role of customer participation in the production of productsLikert scale (1–5)
Independent variable
I4.0 (I.4.0-TEC)3D Printer, AM, IoT, Robotics, big data and ARContinuous (1–6)
Control variables
SizeSize of the firm measured as the natural logarithm of the number of employeesContinuous
Firm's locationLocation of companies (at the regional level: Piedmont, Lumbardy, Emilia-Romagna, Trentino Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia)Dummy
Industry typeIndustry to which a firm belongsDummy
R&DInternal R&D investments (% on turnover)Continuous
B2C1 if a firm operates in B2C (vs B2B)Dummy
Competitive advantage1 if a firm's competitive advantage is product innovationDichotomous
ROAAvg. of ROA of last five yearsContinuous

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