Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/34785 
Year of Publication: 
2008
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 3718
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Using confidential microdata from the U.S. Census Bureau, we investigate the performance of female-owned businesses making comparisons to male-owned businesses. Using regression estimates and a decomposition technique, we explore the role that human capital, especially through prior work experience, and financial capital play in contributing to why female-owned businesses have lower survival rates, profits, employment and sales. We find that female-owned businesses are less successful than male-owned businesses because they have less startup capital, and business human capital acquired through prior work experience in a similar business and prior work experience in family business. We also find some evidence that female-owned businesses work fewer hours and may have different preferences for the goals of their business.
Subjects: 
Female entrepreneurship
business outcomes
JEL: 
J15
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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