Gender differences in self-employment in Spain

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the gender differences of self-employment in Spain. Design/methodology/approach A binary choice model is specified and estimated, using information from the Continuous Working Life Sample drawn from the registers of the Spanish Social Security. Moreover, the differences in self-employment between men and women are also analysed, through the decomposition proposed by Yun (2004). Findings The results indicate that the differences between both groups in the probability of being entrepreneurs stem from unobservable factors. The difference explained by the unobservable component is 84.12 per cent, whereas the rest, 15.88 per cent, is explained by the characteristics component. The explanatory factors of being an entrepreneur affect men and women in the same way, but to a different extent, explained mainly by factors related to gender. Originality/value This paper sets out to identify whether there are gender differences in the probability of becoming self-employed and, if there are, to quantify what part of the difference in entrepreneurship between men and women is explained by the characteristics of each gender group and what part is because of unobservable factors. From the perspective of the public authority, knowing the determinants that explain why the entrepreneurial activity is different depending on gender is fundamental in being able to reduce the entrepreneurial gap between men and women.

Psychological capital and entrepreneurship: gender differences

“…Nevertheless, the number of female entrepreneurs continues to be lower than that of male entrepreneurs and women present fewer intentions to start a business venture than men. The latter has been observed in most countries (Hui-Chen et al , 2014; Joensuu-Salo et al , 2015; Rico and Cabrer-Borrás, 2018). Similarly, the literature on entrepreneurship is focussing on new backgrounds that would explain the intention to start a business venture.…”

“…The European Union is supporting the blooming of an entrepreneurial mindset, which, in turn, leads to the creation of new companies. The reason is that entrepreneurship not only fulfils individual personal needs but also significantly contributes to productivity, employment and economic growth (Joensuu-Salo et al , 2013; Nabi and Liñán, 2013; Padilla-Meléndez et al , 2014; Rico and Cabrer-Borrás, 2018). When entrepreneurs open new job opportunities, they increase people’s well-being, create value for society and change a country’s economic growth and development (Rachmawan et al , 2015).…”

“…Amongst these backgrounds, some authors state that personal characteristics have an important influence on entrepreneurship (Nabi and Liñán, 2013; Padilla-Meléndez et al , 2014; Maden, 2015; Baluku et al , 2016; Hailemariam and Kroon, 2020). Studies have shown gender differences regarding certain personal characteristics such as risk propensity, level of self-efficacy, ambition, fear of failure, need for achievement and independence, amongst others, that lead to the intention and motivation for entrepreneurship (Ventura and Quero, 2013; Camelo-Ordaz et al , 2016; Rico and Cabrer-Borrás, 2018). Interestingly, many of these characteristics are gendered and refer to “agentic” traits that are typically associated with men – e.g.…”

Sustainability, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship: A Research with Administration and Secretariat Students

“…Empirical research indicates that women are less prone to entrepreneurship than men (Arshad et al, 2016;Cañizares & Garcia, 2010;Rico & Cabrer-Borrás, 2018;Santos et al, 2016), who are more likely to be involved in entrepreneurship (Delmar & Davidsson, 2000), which is perceived as a prescriptive male domain (Winn, 2005). While men are more independent, assertive, and selfreliant, women pay more attention to the opinions of their social referents, especially when they want to make decisions about their careers (Sidanius & Pratto, 2001).…”

“…Schmidt et al (2008) have pointed out that students in Administration and Executive Secretariat courses demonstrate entrepreneurial characteristics such as commitment, the pursuit of opportunities, initiative, independence, selfconfidence, and persistence that foster innovative ideas, and they are also developers of sustainable entrepreneurial action strategies. It is worth noting that the level of EI can be influenced by other factors, including gender, entrepreneurial family, nationality, and educational level (Arregle et al, 2015;Paiva et al, 2018;Rico & Cabrer-Borrás, 2018;Sieger & Minola, 2017;Wang & Wong, 2004).…”