Italian medium-sized enterprises prioritize digital and green investments despite obstacles

A report by Unioncamere, Mediobanca, and the Centro Studi Tagliacarne indicates that between 2026 and 2028, over 70% of Italian medium-sized enterprises plan to invest in digitalization and environmental sustainability. Specifically, 76% aim to invest in digital technologies and 73% in green initiatives. However, three out of four companies expect to face obstacles, most notably high initial costs (41.2%), regulatory uncertainty (34%), and the need to prioritize other business resources (32.5%).

While investment intentions remain higher than those of small and medium-sized enterprises, there is a noted slowdown compared to the previous three-year period. Experts suggest that medium-sized enterprises require more targeted policies to support growth, managerial openness, and governance evolution.

Complementary research conducted by Liuc and PwC involving 264 Italian companies highlights a shift in corporate priorities. While digital and green transitions are significant, companies identified marketing, sales, administration, finance, and strategy as the most decisive competencies for competition. Within the digital sphere, cybersecurity has emerged as the primary priority, as businesses focus on protection before innovation.