Disparities in robot adoption among U.S. manufacturers: a critical economic development challenge
基于428家制造企业的调查，研究了机器人扩散现状及企业、区域特征对采纳决策的影响，发现早期采纳者多为汽车业大企业，但现正向中小企业和其他行业渗透，且区域机器人用户和技能劳动力存量有正向作用，提示需政策促进更广泛采纳。
The growing recognition of industrial robots as a source of innovation and competitiveness for manufacturing is motivating calls for a supportive industrial ecology and policy framework. However, little is known about factors that stimulate robot adoption at the firm level. Based on survey results of 428 manufacturing establishments, this study examines 1) the current diffusion of robotics in manufacturing and 2) establishment- and region-level characteristics associated with robot adoption. Our analysis showsthat while earlier robot adopters were mainly large establishments in the automotive sector, robots are now penetrating small- and medium-sized establishments and other sectors. Furthermore, being in a a region with a large pool of existing robot users and robot-related skilled labour positively affects establishments’ decisions on robot adoption. These trends suggest cumulative advantage (and disadvantage) regarding technology upgrading and a need for policies that can encourage wider adoption of robots.