Alessia Lo Turco

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About

Alessia Lo Turco is a prominent empirical economist whose research sits at the intersection of international trade, labor economics, and technological change. She is best known for her pioneering work on the microeconomic effects of automation, particularly how robot adoption reshapes firm-level export performance. Her most-cited paper, "Robot adoption and export performance: Firm-level evidence from Spain" (2022, 87 citations), provides groundbreaking evidence that firms investing in industrial robots significantly boost their export intensity and product scope, revealing a crucial channel through which automation drives global competitiveness. In her related work, "What Is so Special about Robots and Trade?" (2020, 12 citations), she further disentangles the unique role of robots from other capital investments in shaping trade flows. Lo Turco’s contributions are vital for understanding the complex interplay between technology and globalization, offering policymakers and scholars clear insights into how automation can be a lever for economic growth rather than a threat. Her rigorous firm-level analyses have made her a leading voice in the debate on the future of work and trade in the age of robotics.