Industrial robots, social networks, and the gig economy

With the rapid advancement of automation technology, the labor market is undergoing significant transformations, particularly affecting migrant workers. The widespread adoption of automation has intensified job displacement, forcing many migrant workers to turn to the gig economy as a livelihood alternative. This paper empirically examines the impact of robots on migrant workers' participation in the gig economy and analyzes the crucial role social networks play in this process. The results show that industrial robots significantly enhance participation efficiency in the gig economy. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that migrant workers with moderate skills benefit the most, while marital status and gender also influence the effectiveness of social networks. Furthermore, the impact varies between new-generation and traditional migrant workers. Mechanism analysis suggests that social networks help migrant workers cope with the employment challenges posed by automation by providing information and resource support. Overall, the findings provide valuable theoretical insights into migrant workers' employment transitions under automation disruptions, offering key guidance for gig economy development and policy-making. JEL code：J24