In the age of rapidly evolving technology, businesses are constantly seeking tools and methodologies to gain a competitive edge.
One such tool, the robot, has been lauded for its efficiency and transformative potential across various industries. However, recent research reveals an intriguing pattern: robots may not immediately result in profit hikes for businesses.
A study by researchers at the University of Cambridge has unveiled a fascinating ‘U-shaped’ trajectory of profit margins in companies that adopt robotics. Analysing industry data spanning over two decades, from 1995 to 2017, across the UK and 24 European countries, they observed that profits might initially dip post-robot adoption, only to rise again over time.
So, what’s behind this initial dip?
The key lies in innovation and competition. When companies first introduce robots, their primary focus is on ‘process innovation’ – streamlining operations to cut costs.
And while this strategy might offer an initial advantage, it’s a game plan that competitors can easily replicate.
The initial wave of robot adoption, therefore, sees businesses more engrossed in outpacing rivals than in pioneering new products. However, as robots become deeply integrated within a company’s ecosystem, their true potential is unleashed in the form of product innovation.
This shift equips companies with a robust arsenal to stand out and dominate the market.
Comparisons can be drawn from the computer revolution of the 1970s and early 1980s. Though introduced to boost productivity, computers initially led to a slowdown before the tide turned in their favour.
“It’s interesting that a tool meant to increase productivity had the opposite effect, at least at first,” remarks Professor Chander Velu from Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing.
This revelation underscores the complexity of adopting high-tech solutions. Dr. Philip Chen, a co-author of the study, highlights the challenges, noting, “Initially, firms adopt robots for a competitive advantage.
But process innovation is something that one can copy quite easily. “The American medical equipment manufacturer that the researchers interviewed reiterated this sentiment. Integrating robots isn’t just a matter of plug-and-play; it’s often a costly, intricate exercise of redesigning entire processes.”
The silver lining?
Once robots are seamlessly embedded within a company’s operations and business model, they pave the way for groundbreaking product innovations, eventually bolstering profits.
As businesses aim to navigate this U-shaped profit trajectory efficiently, the emphasis must be on evolving business models parallelly with robot incorporation.
In response to these findings, initiatives like the community program led by the Institute for Manufacturing are emerging.
Aimed at empowering small- and medium-sized enterprises, the program facilitates the low-risk adoption of digital technologies, including robotics. As Professor Duncan McFarlane aptly puts it, such initiatives enable businesses to harvest the dual benefits of cost reduction and margin improvement.
While robots promise a transformative impact on businesses, it’s essential for companies to anticipate and adeptly navigate the initial challenges.
Embracing both process and product innovation ensures that robotics serves as a true catalyst for growth in the tech-driven business landscape of the future.
