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Robots do not get the coronavirus: The COVID-19 pandemic and the international division of labor

Author

Listed:
  • Steven Brakman

    (University of Groningen)

  • Harry Garretsen

    (University of Groningen)

  • Arjen Witteloostuijn

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
    University of Antwerp)

Abstract

We assess the expected long-run consequences of the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic and use these as a platform to argue that international business (IB) as a field should expand its research agenda to study the international division of labor. The worldwide response to the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating the shift toward the de-globalization of capital, but it will also speed up the move to a stronger globalization of labor. This paradoxical, simultaneous occurrence of de-globalization and globalization offers rich opportunities for future IB research.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven Brakman & Harry Garretsen & Arjen Witteloostuijn, 2021. "Robots do not get the coronavirus: The COVID-19 pandemic and the international division of labor," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(6), pages 1215-1224, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jintbs:v:52:y:2021:i:6:d:10.1057_s41267-021-00410-9
    DOI: 10.1057/s41267-021-00410-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Sato, Akiko & Panibratov, Andrei, 2023. "Causal mechanisms of COVID-19 disruptive effects on liability of foreignness and the emergence of new firm-specific advantages," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4).
    4. Huiwen Gong & Robert Hassink & Christopher Foster & Martin Hess & Harry Garretsen, 2022. "Globalisation in reverse? Reconfiguring the geographies of value chains and production networks [Does Covid-19 Spark the End of Globalisation?]," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 15(2), pages 165-181.
    5. Caselli, Mauro & Fracasso, Andrea & Traverso, Silvio, 2021. "Robots and risk of COVID-19 workplace contagion: Evidence from Italy," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    6. Mathieu P.A. Steijn, 2024. "The persistence and nature of the labor reallocation shock during the COVID-19 crisis," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 24-047/V, Tinbergen Institute.
    7. Jacob A. Jordaan, 2023. "Firm‐level characteristics and the impact of COVID‐19: Examining the effects of foreign ownership and international trade," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(7), pages 1967-1998, July.
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