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The contribution of robots to productivity growth in 30 OECD countries over 1975–2019

Author

Listed:
  • Gilbert Cette

    (Banque de France - Banque de France - Banque de France)

  • Aurélien Devillard

    (AMSE - Aix-Marseille Sciences Economiques - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - École Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Vincenzo Spiezia

    (OCDE / OECD - Organisation de Coopération et de Développement Economiques = Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)

Abstract

Using a new and original database, our paper contributes to the growth accounting literature by singling out the contribution of robots through two channels: capital deepening and TFP. The contribution of robots to productivity growth through capital deepening and TFP appears to have been significant in Germany and Japan in the sub-period 1975–1995 and in several Eastern European countries in 2005–2019. However, robotization does not appear to be the source of a significant revival in productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Gilbert Cette & Aurélien Devillard & Vincenzo Spiezia, 2021. "The contribution of robots to productivity growth in 30 OECD countries over 1975–2019," Post-Print hal-03140435, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03140435
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2021.109762
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://amu.hal.science/hal-03140435v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gordon, Robert J. & Sayed, Hassan, 2020. "Transatlantic Technologies: The Role of ICT in the Evolution of U.S. and European Productivity Growth," CEPR Discussion Papers 15011, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
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    6. Robert J. Gordon & Hassan Sayed, 2020. "Transatlantic Technologies: The Role of ICT in the Evolution of U.S. and European Productivity Growth," NBER Working Papers 27425, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    9. Gilbert Cette & Aurélien Devillard & Vincenzo Spiezia, 2022. "Growth Factors in Developed Countries: A 1960–2019 Growth Accounting Decomposition," Comparative Economic Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Association for Comparative Economic Studies, vol. 64(2), pages 159-185, June.
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    3. Sharfaei, Shahab & Bittner, Jan, 2024. "Technological employment: Evidence from worldwide robot adoption," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    4. Simachev, Yu. & Fedyunina, A. & Gorodny, N., 2022. "Global advanced manufacturing markets - a new opportunity for Russia's technological upgrade," Journal of the New Economic Association, New Economic Association, vol. 53(1), pages 202-212.
    5. Masayuki MORIKAWA, 2024. "Use of Artificial Intelligence and Productivity: Evidence from firm and worker surveys," Discussion papers 24074, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    6. Xiekui Zhang & Peiyao Liu & Hongfei Zhu, 2022. "The Impact of Industrial Intelligence on Energy Intensity: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-16, June.
    7. Li, Daiyue & Jin, Yanhong & Cheng, Mingwang, 2024. "Unleashing the power of industrial robotics on firm productivity: Evidence from China," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 500-520.
    8. Khanna, Rupika & Sharma, Chandan, 2024. "Beyond information technology and productivity paradox: Analysing the channels of impact at the firm-level," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    9. Zhao, Yantong & Said, Rusmawati & Ismail, Normaz Wana & Hamzah, Hanny Zurina, 2024. "Impact of industrial robot on labour productivity: Empirical study based on industry panel data," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 3(2).
    10. Xiaoyu Bian & Guangsu Zhou, 2024. "The effects of robots on internal migration: Evidence from China," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 64(3), pages 840-865, June.
    11. Daw, Georges, 2024. "Natural resources and development: new insights from strong curse to strong blessing," MPRA Paper 125145, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Gravina, Antonio Francesco & Pappalardo, Maria Rosaria, 2022. "Are robots in rich countries a threat for employment in emerging economies?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    13. Kamaha Njiwa, Marinette & Atif, Muhammad & Arshad, Muhammad & Mirza, Nawazish, 2023. "The impact of female dominance on business resilience: A technology adoption perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    14. Andreas Eder & Wolfgang Koller & Bernhard Mahlberg, 2024. "The contribution of industrial robots to labor productivity growth and economic convergence: a production frontier approach," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 61(2), pages 157-181, April.
    15. Karim Bekhtiar & Benjamin Bittschi & Richard Sellner, 2024. "Robots at work? Pitfalls of industry‐level data," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 39(6), pages 1180-1189, September.
    16. Lamperti, Fabio, 2024. "Unlocking machine learning for social sciences: The case for identifying Industry 4.0 adoption across business restructuring events," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    17. Battisti, Michele & Gravina, Antonio Francesco, 2021. "Do robots complement or substitute for older workers?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
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    19. Schneider, Florian, 2024. "Do robots boost productivity? A quantitative meta-study," MPRA Paper 123392, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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