1 Information and Communication Technology diffusion in the metal industry: an empirical investigation Stefano Bonetti (stefano.bonetti@ing.unibs.it) University of Brescia, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia – Italy Andrea Pasotti (andrea.pasotti@ing.unibs.it) University of Brescia, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia – Italy Abstract This paper presents the results of a survey among 77 Italian metal firms, aiming at measuring ICT diffusion in such sector, analysing managers’ judgement on ICT outcomes and inferring managers’ attitude towards ICT from their answers. After defining an ICT lifecycle model, firms are clustered according to their attitudes towards ICT and then positioned in the model. Results show that only ERP and Cost Accounting systems are highly diffused among Italian metal firms and that ICT diffusion increases ranging from SMEs to large-sized firms. Anyway, companies relying on ICT are almost always satisfied with using it. Keywords: ICT, managers’ response, Italian metal industry Introduction and motivations Information and Communication Technology (ICT) aims at supporting operations, management and decision-making in firms and at facilitating supply chain co-operation by collecting, elaborating and transmitting information. Through ICT implementation, a company can: • computerise and automate activities, e.g. by using a production planning and control software or using barcodes for stock management; • carry out activities in a more effective way, e.g. by enabling key customers to manage their own orders; • enhance its intangible assets, e.g. by formalizing bills of materials, production cycles or indirect cost allocation rules. Thus, ICT creates value for a company and improves its effectiveness. Several studies confirm that companies with superior ICT capability outperform their