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Robotics technology and firm-level employment adjustment in Japan

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  • Ni, Bin
  • Obashi, Ayako

Abstract

Unlike studies that analyze the impact of robotics technology on overall employment at the industry or firm level, this study investigated cross-division employment adjustment within a firm in an industry with greater diffusion and penetration of robotics technology. By examining changes in the composition of employment, we measured job creation and destruction at the division level and explored whether robotics technology, as a leading example of automation, not only displaces workers but also introduces new jobs in favor of labor. We made use of unique, division-level employment data for Japan’s manufacturing firms, together with industry-level data on the installation of industrial robots. We found that industry-level adoption of robots positively affects the firm-level job creation rate and the job destruction rate. Because the magnitude of the impact is larger for job destruction, robot adoption has an overall negative impact on firms’ net employment growth. Our findings suggest that the labor displacement effect of robotics technology and the emergence of new jobs due to technological change coexist even at the firm level.

Suggested Citation

  • Ni, Bin & Obashi, Ayako, 2021. "Robotics technology and firm-level employment adjustment in Japan," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:japwor:v:57:y:2021:i:c:s0922142521000025
    DOI: 10.1016/j.japwor.2021.101054
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Jun Liu & Yu Qian & Yuanjun Yang & Zhidan Yang, 2022. "Can Artificial Intelligence Improve the Energy Efficiency of Manufacturing Companies? Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-18, February.
    6. Deng, Liuchun & Fujio, Minako & Lin, Xin & Ota, Rui, 2023. "Labor shortage and early robotization in Japan," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    7. Filippi, Emilia & Bannò, Mariasole & Trento, Sandro, 2023. "Automation technologies and their impact on employment: A review, synthesis and future research agenda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    8. Su, Chi-Wei & Yuan, Xi & Umar, Muhammad & Lobonţ, Oana-Ramona, 2022. "Does technological innovation bring destruction or creation to the labor market?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Within-firm labor dynamics; Industrial robots; Job creation and destruction;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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