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Privatization in China: Technology and Gender in the Manufacturing Sector

Author

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  • Dammert, Ana C.

    (Carleton University)

  • Ural Marchand, Beyza

    (University of Alberta, Department of Economics)

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of privatization on gender discrimination in China across firms with different technology intensities. Using a comprehensive firm-level survey, the paper identifies gender wage-productivity differentials by directly estimating the relative productivity levels of workers from the production function of firms. The panel structure of the survey is taken advantage of by following firms that were fully state-owned in the initial year, and distinguishing them from firms that were later privatized. The main results show that privatization was associated with an increase in relative productivity of female workers in high technology industries, and a reduction in relative productivity of female workers in low technology industries. Time varying coefficient results suggest that the improvements in gender outcomes in high technology industries may not be maintained in the long run as the relative wage and productivity ratios tend to deteriorate, potentially due to low supply of highly educated female workers. At the same time, outcomes in privatized low technology industries tend to improve over time, lowering the wage and productivity gaps between male and female workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Dammert, Ana C. & Ural Marchand, Beyza, 2013. "Privatization in China: Technology and Gender in the Manufacturing Sector," Working Papers 2013-12, University of Alberta, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:albaec:2013_012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Discrimination; Gender; Privatization; Technology;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • P20 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - General

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