Enabling Sustainable Digital Transition in Mountain Dairy Systems: A Multiscale Farm–Territory Analysis

ABSTRACT Digital technologies are promoted as levers of sustainable transformation, yet their role in mountain livestock systems depends on more than technology availability. In these contexts, digitalisation is shaped by interactions between farm capabilities, resources, territorial trajectories and public support. This study analyses sustainable digital transition pathways in mountain dairy systems in the Autonomous Province of Trento, Italy, by linking farm‐level digital profiles with municipal‐level enabling conditions. A survey of 300 dairy farms was integrated with municipal data on livestock dynamics, land use for 2016–2025 and public support for 2016–2024. Farm‐level indicators captured technology adoption, awareness, perceived usefulness, future purchase intention and the adoption gap. Logistic regression and latent class analysis identified adoption drivers and digital profiles, while the Territorial Livestock Innovation Opportunity Index assessed place‐based conditions for innovation. Digitalisation was widespread but uneven. Basic‐, Medium‐ and Advanced‐equipped farms represented 52.7%, 34.7% and 12.7% of the sample. Adoption increased from 18.8% in small farms to 45.2% and 52.1% in medium and large farms, while future purchase intention was concentrated in production management (23.6%), animal monitoring (17.4%) and automation (16.9%). Municipal CTAI, FPII and TLIOI values ranged from 0 to 0.762, 0 to 0.690 and 0.125 to 0.478, revealing mismatches between consolidated adoption, latent demand and localised areas of territorial opportunity. The findings show that digitalisation is not merely a technological process, but a sustainability transition embedded in farm structures, land‐resource dynamics and public‐support environments. Distinguishing consolidated adopters from farms with latent demand and territories with weak enabling conditions can support inclusive, place‐based strategies for mountain agricultural systems.