Previous studies have found mixed empirical support for the importance of female participation for firm performance. The present study extends the international evidence, by conducting an investigation on the productivity of Italian manufacturing sector. The aim of the paper is to test whether the presence of females at management level can be considered as an important determinant of firm productivity. The analysis is conducted on a large firm sample extracted from AIDA database for the years 2004 and 2011. Results demonstrate that firm productivity is strongly influenced by both traditional inputs (such as tangible and intangible assets per worker) and participation of women managers. In this context our investigation also confirms the productivity differential due to geographical localization. The results show that, in the presence of female managers, firms located in the North-West regions significantly increase the positive productivity differential of the geographical area, while manufacturing firms located in the South and Islands significantly reduce the differential gap registered by the area. Therefore, we argue that firms can take advantage of female management to increase their productivity. Further investigation also demonstrates that mixed managed firms are more productive than female or male only managed firms.
Do female managers affect productivity? Evidence from Italian manufacturing firms
Infante D;SMIRNOVA, JANNA
2014-01-01
Abstract
Previous studies have found mixed empirical support for the importance of female participation for firm performance. The present study extends the international evidence, by conducting an investigation on the productivity of Italian manufacturing sector. The aim of the paper is to test whether the presence of females at management level can be considered as an important determinant of firm productivity. The analysis is conducted on a large firm sample extracted from AIDA database for the years 2004 and 2011. Results demonstrate that firm productivity is strongly influenced by both traditional inputs (such as tangible and intangible assets per worker) and participation of women managers. In this context our investigation also confirms the productivity differential due to geographical localization. The results show that, in the presence of female managers, firms located in the North-West regions significantly increase the positive productivity differential of the geographical area, while manufacturing firms located in the South and Islands significantly reduce the differential gap registered by the area. Therefore, we argue that firms can take advantage of female management to increase their productivity. Further investigation also demonstrates that mixed managed firms are more productive than female or male only managed firms.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
