Robots, Firms, and Regions: Explaining Spanish Manufacturing Firms’ Productivity and Exports

This study investigates the impact of robot adoption on firm productivity and export, considering province-level factors. Analysing a large dataset of 4,767 Spanish manufacturing firms during the period 1990–2016, we find that robots enhance productivity, particularly for small and non-innovative firms. Regional influences such as intangible assets and localization economies shape export intensity and labour productivity. Our findings emphasize the need to tailor strategies taking into consideration firms’ heterogeneity, for instance across size or innovation levels. Further, considering the firm- and regional level factors, this research provides insights and implications that can enhance digital transition policies in a comprehensive framework.