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Automation, trade and multinational activity: Micro evidence from Spain

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  • Stapleton, Katherine
  • Webb, Michael

Abstract

We use a rich dataset of Spanish manufacturing firms from 1990 to 2016 to shed light on how automation in a high-income country affects trade and multinational activity involving lower-income countries. We exploit variation in firm exposure to robotics inventions over time, as measured using ex ante task specialization and the tasks described in new robotics patents. We show that the deployment of robots in Spanish firms had a positive impact on their offshoring to lower-income countries. For firms that had not yet offshored production to lower-income countries, robot adoption caused them to start newly doing so. By contrast, for firms that were already offshoring to lower-income countries, robot adoption had no effect on their offshoring.

Suggested Citation

  • Stapleton, Katherine & Webb, Michael, 2026. "Automation, trade and multinational activity: Micro evidence from Spain," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(5).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:55:y:2026:i:5:s0048733326000636
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2026.105472
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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