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Sex and the Firm: Questioning the Gender-Based Performance Differential

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  • Domenico Depalo
  • Francesca Lotti

Abstract

Many empirical analyses find that firms held by women (female-firms) have lower performance than firms held by men; ceteris paribus, the greatest part of the performance gap is attributed to gender-related attitudes . In this paper, we evaluate whether this finding holds also for Italian firms in terms of productivity and returns, focussing on corporations. Italy is a particularly interesting case to analyse in this context because a specific law (L215/92) introduced a tight definition of female firms. We find that female firms tend to cluster in those sectors where interpersonal relations are most important, namely retails, restaurant, hotels. Controlling for observable characteristics, we do not find any significant difference in terms of performances.

Suggested Citation

  • Domenico Depalo & Francesca Lotti, 2014. "Sex and the Firm: Questioning the Gender-Based Performance Differential," Business and Management Research, Business and Management Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 3(4), pages 34-50, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:jfr:bmr111:v:3:y:2014:i:4:p:34-50
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sabarwal, Shwetlena & Terrell, Katherine, 2008. "Does Gender Matter for Firm Performance? Evidence from Eastern Europe and Central Asia," IZA Discussion Papers 3758, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Sandra Gottschalk & Michaela Niefert, 2013. "Gender differences in business success of German start-up firms," International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 18(1), pages 15-46.
    3. Alberto F. Alesina & Francesca Lotti & Paolo Emilio Mistrulli, 2013. "Do Women Pay More For Credit? Evidence From Italy," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 11, pages 45-66, January.
    4. Fischer, Eileen M. & Reuber, A. Rebecca & Dyke, Lorraine S., 1993. "A theoretical overview and extension of research on sex, gender, and entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 8(2), pages 151-168, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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