Integrating Agri-food in the SCPS: Exploring the Role of Digitalisation for Niche-Innovations in Collective Actions and the Impacts on Sustainability Dimensions—The Case of the PDO Parmigiano Reggiano

This chapter proposes a conceptualisation of the digitalisation in rural systems building on the analytical constructs of niche-innovation in agricultural ecosystems and socio-cyber-physical systems (SCPS). We submit that digitalisation acts as driving force of innovative niches, playing a role in incorporation of the agri-food in SCPSs. Niches are settings where social entities make use of digital technologies to trigger dynamics of co-experimentation and co-creation of novel practices in support of a sustainable transition pathways going beyond the existing socio-technical regime and contributing to Sustainable Development Goals. Focusing on a collective action, such as the PDO ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ Protection Consortium (PRC), the analysis shows actors, networks and system’s relationships supporting a “digitalisation niche” and reveals connections at stake with sustainability indicators,