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Gender differences in self-employment

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  • Yannis Georgellis
  • Howard J. Wall

Abstract

This paper examines the factors that influence transitions into self-employment, paying particular attention to gender differences. We find that: (i) men are more responsive to the wage differential between wage/salaried employment and self-employment; (ii) liquidity constraints are more important for men; and (iii) the link between father?s self-employment status and the probability of self-employment is stronger for men. Taken together, these results suggest that, for women, self-employment is a closer substitute for part-time work and labour market inactivity than it is for men. We attribute such differences to the different labour market opportunities and occupational strategies of women.

Suggested Citation

  • Yannis Georgellis & Howard J. Wall, 2004. "Gender differences in self-employment," Working Papers 1999-008, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedlwp:1999-008
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    Keywords

    Employment (Economic theory); Labor market; Germany;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand

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