Robots, occupations, and worker age: A production-unit analysis of employment

B-Tier
Journal: European Economic Review
Year: 2024
Volume: 170
Issue: C

Authors (4)

Deng, Liuchun (not in RePEc) Müller, Steffen (not in RePEc) Plümpe, Verena (not in RePEc) Stegmaier, Jens (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.503 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We analyze the impact of robot adoption on employment composition using novel micro data on robot use of German manufacturing plants linked with social security records and data on job tasks. Our task-based model predicts more favorable employment effects for the least routine-task intensive occupations and for young workers, the latter being better at adapting to change. An event-study analysis for robot adoption confirms both predictions. We do not find decreasing employment for any occupational or age group but churning among low-skilled workers rises sharply. We conclude that the displacement effect of robots is occupation-biased but age neutral whereas the reinstatement effect is age-biased and benefits young workers most.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:eecrev:v:170:y:2024:i:c:s0014292124002101
Journal Field
General
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-26