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Understanding Female Inactivity in Malta

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  • Rose Marie Azzopardi
  • Frank Bezzina

Abstract

This empirical study is based in Malta, a small island state with the highest rate of economically inactive women in the European Union (EU). Using a random sample of 402 inactive female homemakers, the responses to a telephone survey revealed that (a) this inactive group is motivated by aspects of social and economic well-being and to a lesser extent by aspects of personal and professional development; (b) work hindrances include low wages, family responsibilities, and a dependency on social security contributions/benefits; (c) the intention to work in the future is significantly associated with work motives, work hindrances, and demographic variables, resulting in an overall holdout accuracy of 84.8%; and (d) the respondents would be encouraged to work if there are more supportive/flexible work structures available for working mothers, equal opportunities for women at the workplace, and employment opportunities through in-work benefits that make work pay (particularly for those aged 40+, with limited skills and with low work intensity). The findings are discussed, and the study concludes by providing four policy recommendations aimed at addressing the present shortcomings of the Maltese labor market.

Suggested Citation

  • Rose Marie Azzopardi & Frank Bezzina, 2014. "Understanding Female Inactivity in Malta," SAGE Open, , vol. 4(4), pages 21582440145, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:4:y:2014:i:4:p:2158244014561205
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244014561205
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Frank Bezzina & Rose Marie Azzopardi & George Vella, 2013. "Understanding and Assessing the Work Motivations of Employed Women," SAGE Open, , vol. 3(3), pages 21582440135, September.
    2. Card, David, 1999. "The causal effect of education on earnings," Handbook of Labor Economics, in: O. Ashenfelter & D. Card (ed.), Handbook of Labor Economics, edition 1, volume 3, chapter 30, pages 1801-1863, Elsevier.
    3. Mourre, Gilles & Buddelmeyer, Hielke & Ward-Warmedinger, Melanie, 2005. "Part-time work in EU countries: labour market mobility, entry and exit," Working Paper Series 460, European Central Bank.
    4. Stéphane Carcillo & David Grubb, 2006. "From Inactivity to Work: The Role of Active Labour Market Policies," OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers 36, OECD Publishing.
    5. Adler, Paul S. & Chen, Clara Xiaoling, 2011. "Combining creativity and control: Understanding individual motivation in large-scale collaborative creativity," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 63-85, February.
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    7. O. Ashenfelter & D. Card (ed.), 1999. "Handbook of Labor Economics," Handbook of Labor Economics, Elsevier, edition 1, volume 3, number 3.
    8. Florence Jaumotte, 2004. "Labour Force Participation of Women: Empirical Evidence on The Role of Policy and Other Determinants in OECD Countries," OECD Economic Studies, OECD Publishing, vol. 2003(2), pages 51-108.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna M. Catania & Clarissa Sammut Scerri & Gottfried J. Catania, 2019. "Men’s experience of their partners’ breast cancer diagnosis, breast surgery and oncological treatment," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(9-10), pages 1899-1910, May.
    2. Raquel Justo & Emilio Congregado & Concepción Román, 2021. "Becoming self-employed from inactivity: an in-depth analysis of satisfaction," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(1), pages 145-187, January.

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