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Robots and firms’ labour search: The role of temporary work agencies

Author

Listed:
  • Pilar Beneito
  • Maria Garcia-Vega
  • Oscar Vicente-Chirivella
  • Guillaume Wilemme

Abstract

We study the impact of industrial robots on the use of labor intermediaries or temporary work agencies (TWAs) and firm productivity. We develop a theoretical framework where new technologies increase the need for quality match workers. TWAs help firms to search for workers who better match their technologies. The model predicts that using robots increases TWA use, which increases robots’ productivity. We test the model implications with panel data of Spanish firms from 1997 to 2016 with information on robot adoption and TWA use. Using staggered difference-in-difference (DiD) estimations, we estimate the causal effects of robot adoption on TWAs. We find robot adopters increase the probability of TWA use compared to non-adopters. We also find that firms that combine robots with TWAs achieve higher productivity than those who adopt robots without TWAs.

Suggested Citation

  • Pilar Beneito & Maria Garcia-Vega & Oscar Vicente-Chirivella & Guillaume Wilemme, 2024. "Robots and firms’ labour search: The role of temporary work agencies," Discussion Papers 2024-02, University of Nottingham, GEP.
    • Handle: RePEc:not:notgep:2024-02
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    File URL: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/gep/documents/papers/2024/24-02.pdf
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