Abstract

This study empirically analyzes the impact of the robotics industry on national competitiveness and the labor market. Utilizing panel data from 43 countries between 1999 and 2022, we investigate how the adoption of robotics influences national and industrial productivity, employment levels, and job quality. The findings reveal that new robot adoption significantly boosts productivity in both robot-leading and robot-following countries. However, while robot density positively affects productivity in robot-leading countries, it negatively impacts productivity in robot-following countries, likely due to challenges in technological adaptation. In terms of employment, new robot adoption fosters job growth in robot-following countries but leads to job losses in robot-leading countries, reflecting differences in industrial maturity. Robot density generally decreases employment in both groups, indicating job displacement driven by automation. Regarding job quality, the effect is minimal in robot-leading countries due to labor market adaptability. Conversely, in robot-following countries, initial robot adoption tends to lower job quality, although increased robot density improves it over time through productivity gains. These findings underscore how the economic and labor impacts of robotics adoption differ based on a country’s level of industrial development and labor market structure. This study provides empirical evidence to guide policies on robotics utilization, workforce adaptation, and strategies to enhance industrial competitiveness.