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Gender Discrimination and Firm Profit Efficiency:Evidence from Brazil

Author

Listed:
  • Wenjun Liu

    (Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University)

  • Tomokazu Nomura

    (Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University)

  • Shoji Nishijima

    (Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration, Kobe University)

Abstract

In this study, we investigated discrimination against women within the Brazilian labor market using firm-level data and considering the proportion of female employees as a proxy for the extent of discrimination. Estimating the profit efficiency of firms using data envelopment analysis, and regressing it on the proportion of female employees and other firm characteristics, we found that the proportion of female employees is positively correlated with firm profit efficiency. Our finding indicates that firms employing a high proportion of female workers incur a lower labor cost while producing the same level of output compared to firms employing a low proportion of female employees, and provide strong evidence of the existence of discrimination against female employees within the Brazilian labor market.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenjun Liu & Tomokazu Nomura & Shoji Nishijima, 2011. "Gender Discrimination and Firm Profit Efficiency:Evidence from Brazil," Discussion Papers 1019, Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University.
    • Handle: RePEc:koe:wpaper:1019
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    File URL: http://www.econ.kobe-u.ac.jp/RePEc/koe/wpaper/2010/1019.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Agier, Isabelle & Szafarz, Ariane, 2013. "Microfinance and Gender: Is There a Glass Ceiling on Loan Size?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 165-181.

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