The Green Side of the Machine: Industrial Robots and Corporate Energy Efficiency in China

In the context of the ongoing digital revolution in manufacturing and the simultaneous advancement toward dual carbon objectives, this study investigates the role of intelligent technological advancements, particularly industrial robotics, in improving firm-level energy efficiency. Utilizing panel data from Chinese listed companies spanning the period 2012–2023, the research assesses the relationship between exposure to industrial robots and corporate energy efficiency metrics. The empirical analysis demonstrates that greater exposure to industry-level robotization substantially boosts corporate energy performance, verifying that intelligent modernization and green transition can be mutually reinforcing. This positive effect is particularly pronounced among superstar firms, in more competitive industries, and for capital-intensive enterprises. Mechanism analysis reveals that, first, robotization processes generate a scale effect that effectively dilutes the fixed energy consumption per unit of product. Second, the diffusion of robots intensifies market competition, creating a competition effect that compels all firms within the industry to optimize costs and management with a focus on energy conservation. This study demonstrates that enhancing human capital within organizations significantly amplifies the beneficial impact of robotic integration on energy efficiency metrics. By providing empirical data from an emerging market context, this research not only elucidates the role of industrial robots but also offers policy-relevant insights for developed economies navigating the concurrent challenges of industrial modernization and environmental sustainability.