THE ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AND LOGISTICS ORGANIZATION IN THE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF SICILIAN FRUIT AND VEGETABLE ENTERPRISES

Through a direct survey conducted on a sample of firms operating in the Sicilian fruit and vegetable sector, the present study provides an empirical evidence on the degree of diffusion of ICTs as well as on relationships with the regional distribution system. To pursue this goal, a multiple regression analysis model was implemented to identify which factors affect more the economic results of fruit and vegetable enterprises. The main results of the analysis indicate that firms using specific software for accounting, warehousing, payment and sales orders and contracts, are more likely to obtain higher economic performances under the “coeteris paribus” condition, as well as firms which are equipped with larger plants for product processing. As to other variables dealing with logistics, it was not possible to extend the model results to the whole population of fruit and vegetable firms, since their coefficient estimates were not considered significant.