The Global Industrial Robot Trade Network: Evolution and China’s Rising International Competitiveness

This paper examines the spatial and temporal evolution of the global industrial robot trade network (GIRTN) from 2000 to 2023 using complex network analysis, and it systematically evaluates China’s position in the GIRTN and its evolutionary trend by combining node reciprocity, the industry concentra...

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Main Authors: Huijie Yang, Shaobin Wei, Haiyan Zhou, Feng Hu, Yufeng Chen, Hao Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Systems
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/5/361
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author Huijie Yang
Shaobin Wei
Haiyan Zhou
Feng Hu
Yufeng Chen
Hao Hu
author_facet Huijie Yang
Shaobin Wei
Haiyan Zhou
Feng Hu
Yufeng Chen
Hao Hu
author_sort Huijie Yang
collection DOAJ
description This paper examines the spatial and temporal evolution of the global industrial robot trade network (GIRTN) from 2000 to 2023 using complex network analysis, and it systematically evaluates China’s position in the GIRTN and its evolutionary trend by combining node reciprocity, the industry concentration index, the Herfindahl–Hirschman index, and betweenness centrality. The study shows that the GIRTN is characterized by significant imbalance, a “small world”, and weak reciprocity. Traditional industrial countries such as Japan, Germany, and France have dominated the global market for a long time, accounting for more than 80% of the market share. However, market imbalances have been mitigated with the rise of emerging economies such as China, South Korea, and Singapore. Despite increasing global trade linkages, there are significant differences in trade intensity. China’s position and competitiveness in the GIRTN have significantly improved, as demonstrated by its continued rise in the ranking of total exports, the improvement in the attractiveness and quality of its products, the diversification of its trading partners, and the optimization of its export structure. These changes indicate that China has gained significant competitive advantages and has great potential for development.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-05-01
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series Systems
spelling doaj-art-890130e39ad2472eabff0bb33460e2d62025-08-20T03:48:02ZengMDPI AGSystems2079-89542025-05-0113536110.3390/systems13050361The Global Industrial Robot Trade Network: Evolution and China’s Rising International CompetitivenessHuijie Yang0Shaobin Wei1Haiyan Zhou2Feng Hu3Yufeng Chen4Hao Hu5International Business School, Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, Shanghai 201620, ChinaInstitute of Digital Economy and Financial Powerhouse Building, Guangdong University of Finance, Guangzhou 510521, ChinaGraduate School, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Cabanatuan 3100, PhilippinesInstitute of International Business & Economics Innovation and Governance, Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, Shanghai 200336, ChinaSchool of Economics and Management, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, ChinaSchool of Economics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, ChinaThis paper examines the spatial and temporal evolution of the global industrial robot trade network (GIRTN) from 2000 to 2023 using complex network analysis, and it systematically evaluates China’s position in the GIRTN and its evolutionary trend by combining node reciprocity, the industry concentration index, the Herfindahl–Hirschman index, and betweenness centrality. The study shows that the GIRTN is characterized by significant imbalance, a “small world”, and weak reciprocity. Traditional industrial countries such as Japan, Germany, and France have dominated the global market for a long time, accounting for more than 80% of the market share. However, market imbalances have been mitigated with the rise of emerging economies such as China, South Korea, and Singapore. Despite increasing global trade linkages, there are significant differences in trade intensity. China’s position and competitiveness in the GIRTN have significantly improved, as demonstrated by its continued rise in the ranking of total exports, the improvement in the attractiveness and quality of its products, the diversification of its trading partners, and the optimization of its export structure. These changes indicate that China has gained significant competitive advantages and has great potential for development.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/5/361industrial robotstrade networkscomplex networkstrade competitiveness
spellingShingle Huijie Yang
Shaobin Wei
Haiyan Zhou
Feng Hu
Yufeng Chen
Hao Hu
The Global Industrial Robot Trade Network: Evolution and China’s Rising International Competitiveness
Systems
industrial robots
trade networks
complex networks
trade competitiveness
title The Global Industrial Robot Trade Network: Evolution and China’s Rising International Competitiveness
title_full The Global Industrial Robot Trade Network: Evolution and China’s Rising International Competitiveness
title_fullStr The Global Industrial Robot Trade Network: Evolution and China’s Rising International Competitiveness
title_full_unstemmed The Global Industrial Robot Trade Network: Evolution and China’s Rising International Competitiveness
title_short The Global Industrial Robot Trade Network: Evolution and China’s Rising International Competitiveness
title_sort global industrial robot trade network evolution and china s rising international competitiveness
topic industrial robots
trade networks
complex networks
trade competitiveness
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/5/361
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