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Historical Differences in Female-Owned Manufacturing Establishments: The United States, 1850–1880

Author

Listed:
  • Ruveyda Gozen
  • Richard Hornbeck
  • Anders Humlum
  • Martin Rotemberg

Abstract

We characterize female-owned manufacturing establishments using digitized manuscripts from the US Census of Manufactures (1850, 1860, 1870, 1880). Female-owned establishments were smaller than male-owned establishments and had lower capital-to-output ratios, which could reflect more constrained financial access and other distortions. Female-owned establishments employed more women and paid women higher wages, creating a potential cycle between increased female business ownership and increased female labor market participation. Female-owned establishments concentrated in subindustries like women's clothing and millinery, which is associated with some but not all of these differences. We also show how female owners differed from other women in the Population Census.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruveyda Gozen & Richard Hornbeck & Anders Humlum & Martin Rotemberg, 2025. "Historical Differences in Female-Owned Manufacturing Establishments: The United States, 1850–1880," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 115, pages 483-488, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:115:y:2025:p:483-88
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20251067
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • L60 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - General
    • N31 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • N61 - Economic History - - Manufacturing and Construction - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913

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