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Gender Interactions Within the Family Firm

Author

Listed:
  • Mario Daniele Amore

    (Department of Management and Technology, Bocconi University, 20136 Milan, Italy)

  • Orsola Garofalo

    (Department of Business Economics, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona (Bellaterra), Spain)

  • Alessandro Minichilli

    (Department of Management and Technology, Bocconi University, 20136 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

We analyze whether gender interactions at the top of the corporate hierarchy affect corporate performance. Using a comprehensive data set of family-controlled firms in Italy, we find that female directors significantly improve the operating profitability of female-led companies. To mitigate endogeneity concerns, we assess executive transitions using a triple-difference approach complemented by propensity score matching and instrumental variables. Finally, we show that the positive effect of female interactions on profitability is reduced when the firm is located in geographic areas characterized by gender prejudices and when the firm is large. This paper was accepted by Brad Barber, finance .

Suggested Citation

  • Mario Daniele Amore & Orsola Garofalo & Alessandro Minichilli, 2014. "Gender Interactions Within the Family Firm," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 60(5), pages 1083-1097, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormnsc:v:60:y:2014:i:5:p:1083-1097
    DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.2013.1824
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    References listed on IDEAS

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