Gender Differences in Business Performance: Evidence from the Characteristics of Business Owners Survey

Robert Fairlie and Alicia Robb ()
Additional contact information
Alicia Robb: Kauffman Foundation

No 3718, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Using confidential microdata from the U.S. Census Bureau, we investigate the performance of female-owned businesses making comparisons to male-owned businesses. Using regression estimates and a decomposition technique, we explore the role that human capital, especially through prior work experience, and financial capital play in contributing to why female-owned businesses have lower survival rates, profits, employment and sales. We find that female-owned businesses are less successful than male-owned businesses because they have less startup capital, and business human capital acquired through prior work experience in a similar business and prior work experience in family business. We also find some evidence that female-owned businesses work fewer hours and may have different preferences for the goals of their business.

Keywords: female entrepreneurship; business outcomes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J15 L26 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 52 pages
Date: 2008-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-bec, nep-ent and nep-lab
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

Published - published in: Small Business Economics, 2009, 33 (4), 375-395

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Related works:
Journal Article: Gender differences in business performance: evidence from the Characteristics of Business Owners survey (2009)
Working Paper: Gender Differences in Business Performance: Evidence from the Characteristics of Business Owners Survey (2009)
Working Paper: Gender Differences in Business Performance: Evidence from the Characteristics of Business Owners Survey (2008)
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