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Robot Hubs: The Skewed Distribution of Robots in US Manufacturing

Author

Listed:
  • Erik Brynjolfsson
  • Catherine Buffington
  • Nathan Goldschlag
  • J. Frank Li
  • Javier Miranda
  • Robert Seamans

Abstract

We use establishment-level data from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of Manufactures to study the characteristics and geographic locations of investments in robots. We find that the distribution of robots is highly skewed across locations. Some locations, which we call Robot Hubs, have far more robots than one would expect even after accounting for industry and manufacturing employment. We characterize these Robot Hubs along several industry, demographic, and institutional dimensions. The presences of robot integrators, which specialize in helping manufacturers install robots, and of higher levels of union membership are positively correlated with being a Robot Hub.

Suggested Citation

  • Erik Brynjolfsson & Catherine Buffington & Nathan Goldschlag & J. Frank Li & Javier Miranda & Robert Seamans, 2023. "Robot Hubs: The Skewed Distribution of Robots in US Manufacturing," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 113, pages 215-218, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:113:y:2023:p:215-18
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20231038
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    File URL: https://doi.org/10.3886/E190543V1
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects
    • L60 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - General
    • M15 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - IT Management
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions

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