Innovations in agricultural enterprises: A study of small size wineries located in valle del Mela, Sicily

There are many obstacles that prevent the development of farm businesses in rural areas, among these is the limited propensity for innovation by entrepreneurs that represents a clear limit to economic sustainability. This research aims to give an idea, albeit partial, of the current propensity to introduce innovations in wineries located in the Sicilian district of Valle del Mela within the metropolitan area of Messina. In addition to assessing the degree of propensity for innovation, this research intends to identify which types of innovations have been introduced by the sample companies involved in the survey in the last 3 years. In this way we can highlight the knowledge of agricultural entrepreneurs regarding the latest innovations available in the sector and how they are possibly willing to invest to order to achieve them. This study also includes information on the level of industrialization 4.0 achieved in the three-year period 2015-2018. In order to carry out the research survey, a motivational survey was carried out using a face to face questionnaire in the period 18 September-20 October 2018.