Naubahar Sharif

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Naubahar Sharif is a scholar whose research sits at the vital intersection of technological change, industrial policy, and labor dynamics in contemporary China. His work has made significant contributions to our understanding of how automation and robotization are reshaping manufacturing economies, with a particular focus on China's "Workshop of the World" — the Pearl River Delta region centered on cities like Dongguan. Sharif's most influential research traces China's dramatic transition from a labor-intensive manufacturing model to one increasingly driven by industrial robots. His widely cited 2017 paper, "From 'Labour Dividend' to 'Robot Dividend'" (36 citations), examines how the 2008 financial crisis accelerated robotic adoption among export-oriented firms grappling with rising labor costs and shrinking orders. Building on this foundation, his subsequent work investigates how local governments actively promoted "Replacing Humans with Robots" policies through targeted subsidies and industrial upgrading initiatives. Collectively, his research illuminates the complex power dynamics between workers, firms, and the state during technological transitions, offering critical insights into what automation means for labor in developing economies. His scholarship is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the human and institutional dimensions of China's industrial transformation.