Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/171240 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
Kiel Working Paper No. 2091
Publisher: 
Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), Kiel
Abstract: 
This paper uses firm-level survey responses across more than 100 emerging and developing countries to examine whether female managers or female owners of firms were better at bringing innovations to the market. Employing a range of firm-specific and country-specific controls, the econometric results show that female owners of firms, rather than female managers, were more likely to introduce innovations. As expected, innovations resulted from firms engaging in R&D. Larger and older firms reinforced these tendencies; however, sole proprietorships had the opposite effect. The presence of an informal sector and finance availability constraints actually spurred innovation. Finally, the economy-wide effects of greater economic freedom and stronger patent protections were positive, while greater economic prosperity somewhat led to complacency.
Subjects: 
innovation
female
owners
managers
patent protection
R&D
firm size
sole proprietorship
JEL: 
O32
O33
O57
J16
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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