Susan Helper

Papers

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About

Susan Helper is a leading scholar in the economics of manufacturing, innovation, and industrial policy, with a particular focus on supply chains and the impact of digital technologies. Her work critically examines how Industry 4.0—the integration of robotics, sensors, and AI—reshapes value capture in manufacturing. In her highly cited 2019 paper, "Who Profits from Industry 4.0? Theory and Evidence from the Automotive Industry" (24 citations), Helper reveals that while advanced technologies boost productivity, the gains often flow to large, powerful firms rather than smaller suppliers or workers. Her 2018 study, "Value Migration and Industry 4.0" (4 citations), further explores this dynamic through in-depth interviews with manufacturers, showing how value shifts across firms and occupations. Helper’s research has profound implications for understanding economic inequality and industrial competitiveness. Notably, she served as Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she shaped policies on domestic manufacturing and supply chain resilience. Her work is essential for students and researchers seeking to grasp the real-world consequences of technological change on labor and industry.