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The impact of robot adoption on firm’s OFDI: Evidence from China

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  • Ma, Shuzhong
  • Wu, Peng
  • Fang, Chao

Abstract

Increased robot adoption is expected to affect existing global production organizations and prompt reshoring. We analyze the impact of robot adoption on Chinese firms’ outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) to ascertain trends in industry migration. Robust difference-in-differences (DID) estimates from the three datasets show a positive effect of robot adoption on the different motives for OFDI. This impact was driven by production expansion, with robot adoption raising firms’ demand for factors, increasing productivity, and expanding exports. This positive effect is stronger for knowledge-seeking and export-seeking OFDI, particularly for upstream firms. These findings suggest that reshoring may not occur, as predicted in the literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Ma, Shuzhong & Wu, Peng & Fang, Chao, 2025. "The impact of robot adoption on firm’s OFDI: Evidence from China," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:asieco:v:97:y:2025:i:c:s1049007825000259
    DOI: 10.1016/j.asieco.2025.101901
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