Marcel Smolka

Papers

Total Citations

429

H-Index

About

Marcel Smolka is an economist whose research sits at the intersection of industrial organization, labor economics, and international trade, with a particular focus on technological change and its microeconomic consequences. His most influential contribution, "Robots and Firms," examines how automation reshapes the behavior and performance of manufacturing enterprises. Drawing on a rich panel dataset of Spanish manufacturing firms spanning 27 years (1990–2016), Smolka provides rigorous causal evidence addressing two fundamental questions: what firm characteristics drive robot adoption decisions, and what economic impacts follow from that adoption. The study has garnered over 400 citations since its 2021 publication, establishing it as a landmark reference in the rapidly growing literature on automation and firm dynamics. By grounding the analysis in granular firm-level data over an exceptionally long time horizon, Smolka's work moves beyond aggregate trends to illuminate the microeconomic mechanisms through which robots transform industries. His research offers valuable insights for policymakers, business leaders, and scholars grappling with the consequences of automation for employment, productivity, and competitiveness in advanced economies.