Determinants of female entrepreneurship in male- and female-dominated sectors in selected European countries


Abstract

Objective: Female entrepreneurship rates vary strongly across countries and industries. The aim of this paper is to verify what determines female entrepreneurship in male-dominated industries and female-dominated industries and whether the differences between those types of sectors are significant.

Research Design & Methods: We use panel data across 7 European countries in the timespan of 2009-2018 to verify our assumptions. We study the Construction (NACE F) and Human Health and Social Work Activities (NACE Q) industries.

Findings: The research shows significant differences amongst the determinants of female entrepreneurship in male-dominated and female-dominated industries. Industry-specific determinants play an important role in male-dominated industries and a much lesser role in female-dominated ones.

Contribution & Value Added: The conducted research indicates the necessity of including the industry-perspective in studies on female entrepreneurship. Previous studies have frequently neglected this aspect, paying more attention to country-specific determinants.


Keywords

Female entrepreneurship; gender gap; male-dominant industries; female-dominant industries; labour market segmentation

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Published : 2020-06-30


Mroczek-DąbrowskaK., & GawełA. (2020). Determinants of female entrepreneurship in male- and female-dominated sectors in selected European countries. International Entrepreneurship Review, 6(2), 55-68. https://doi.org/10.15678/IER.2020.0602.04

Katarzyna Mroczek-Dąbrowska  katarzyna.mroczek-dabrowska@ue.poznan.pl
Poznan University of Economics and Business  Poland
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9015-899X

Associate Professor of economics at the Poznan University of Economics and Business. She is the author or co-author of over 60 publications, her research includes areas of international business, institutional economics, transaction costs and uncertainty.


Aleksandra Gaweł 
Poznań University of Economics and Business  Poland
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7426-3474

Professor of economics at the Poznan University of Economics and Business. She is the author or co-author of over 120 publications, her research includes areas of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial education, innovation, business cycle, labour market, and regional development.






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