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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 - 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-03140435
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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.
    2. 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.
    3. Georg Graetz & Guy Michaels, 2018. "Robots at Work," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 100(5), pages 753-768, December.
    4. Daron Acemoglu & Claire Lelarge & Pascual Restrepo, 2020. "Competing with Robots: Firm-Level Evidence from France," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 110, pages 383-388, May.
    5. Antonin Bergeaud & Gilbert Cette & Rémy Lecat, 2018. "The role of production factor quality and technology diffusion in twentieth-century productivity growth," Cliometrica, Journal of Historical Economics and Econometric History, Association Française de Cliométrie (AFC), vol. 12(1), pages 61-97, January.
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    7. 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.
    8. Daron Acemoglu & Pascual Restrepo, 2020. "Robots and Jobs: Evidence from US Labor Markets," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 128(6), pages 2188-2244.
    9. A. Bergeaud & G. Cette & R. Lecat, 2016. "The role of production factor quality and technology diffusion in 20th century productivity growth," Working papers 588, Banque de France.
    10. Robert J. Gordon & Hassan Sayed, 2020. "Transatlantic Technologies: The Role of ICT in the Evolution of U.S. and European Productivity Growth," International Productivity Monitor, Centre for the Study of Living Standards, vol. 38, pages 50-80, Spring.
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    Cited by:

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    2. 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).
    3. 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).
    4. Bekhtiar, Karim & Bittschi, Benjamin & Sellner, Richard, 2021. "Robots at Work? Pitfalls of Industry Level Data," IHS Working Paper Series 30, Institute for Advanced Studies.
    5. 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).
    6. 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).
    7. Xiekui Zhang & Hongfei Zhu, 2023. "The Impact of Industrial Intelligence on Carbon Emissions: Evidence from the Three Largest Economies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-15, April.
    8. 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).
    9. Battisti, Michele & Gravina, Antonio Francesco, 2021. "Do robots complement or substitute for older workers?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    10. Li, Jianjun & Wu, Zhouyi & Yu, Kaijia & Zhao, Wei, 2024. "The effect of industrial robot adoption on firm value: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    11. 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.
    12. 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.
    13. MORIKAWA Masayuki, 2024. "Use of Artificial Intelligence and Productivity: Evidence from firm and worker surveys," Discussion papers 24074, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    14. 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.
    15. 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.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    growth; productivity; robots;
    All these keywords.

    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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