A recent report by TechXplore, based on research from the University of Cambridge, sheds light on the impact of robot investment on a firm’s profitability. The study, which analyzed industry data from the UK and 24 other European countries spanning 1995 to 2017, found that the introduction of robots initially led to a decline in profits, followed by a subsequent rise, resulting in a so-called U-shaped effect.
Professor Chander Velu from Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing, one of the co-authors of the report, drew parallels to the historical impact of computer adoption on productivity. He noted that the introduction of computers in the 1970s and early 1980s led to a temporary slowdown in productivity growth before eventually driving productivity up until the financial crisis of 2008. The researchers aimed to ascertain if a similar pattern emerged with the integration of robotics.
Surprisingly, the findings revealed a U-shaped curve rather than a linear relationship between robot adoption and profit margins. Initially, as firms adopted robots to gain a competitive edge and reduce costs, profit margins declined. This was primarily due to the ease with which process innovation (facilitated by robots) could be copied by competitors, leading to squeezed margins.
Co-author Dr. Philip Chen explained that examining profit margins proved to be a useful way to gauge whether companies were using robots solely to improve specific processes or to enhance their overall business model.
The researchers focused on analyzing entire sectors, primarily in manufacturing, where robots are commonly utilized. They discovered that integrating robotics into business operations was a complex and costly process. As more robots were introduced, companies often had to undertake significant streamlining and process automation, which at a certain point required a complete redesign of the entire process.
Velu stressed that successful adoption of robotics hinged on companies simultaneously developing new processes while incorporating robots. Failing to do so would lead to a critical pinch point, where profit margins were adversely affected.
Drawing from their study and interviews with an American medical equipment manufacturer, the researchers concluded that to fully harness the power of robots and drive successful profit margins, integration of robots must be undertaken holistically within the business model. Rather than focusing solely on cost reduction, companies should strategically align robots with the overall process and innovation framework to unleash their full potential.
