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Male–female wage discrimination in Chinese industry Investigation using firm‐level data1

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  • Liqin Zhang
  • Xiao‐Yuan Dong

Abstract

We use firm‐level data to analyze male–female wage discrimination in China's industry. We find that there is a significant negative association between wages and the share of female workers in a firm's labour force. However, we also find that the marginal productivity of female workers is significantly lower than that of male workers. Comparing wage gaps and productivity gaps between men and women, we notice an intriguing contrast between state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) and private firms. The wage gap is smaller than the productivity gap in SOEs, while the converse is true for private firms. These results suggest that women in the state sector receive wage premiums, whereas women in the private sector face wage discrimination.

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  • Liqin Zhang & Xiao‐Yuan Dong, 2008. "Male–female wage discrimination in Chinese industry Investigation using firm‐level data1," The Economics of Transition, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, vol. 16(1), pages 85-112, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:etrans:v:16:y:2008:i:1:p:85-112
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0351.2007.00317.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Tsou, Meng-Wen & Yang, Chih-Hai, 2019. "Does gender structure affect firm productivity? Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 19-36.
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    7. Xingqiang Du, 2016. "Does Confucianism Reduce Board Gender Diversity? Firm-Level Evidence from China," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 136(2), pages 399-436, June.
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    9. Chi, Wei & Li, Bo, 2008. "Glass ceiling or sticky floor? Examining the gender earnings differential across the earnings distribution in urban China, 1987-2004," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 243-263, June.
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    11. Min Qin & James Brown & Sabu S. Padmadas & Li Bohua & Qi Jianan & Jane Falkingham, 2016. "Gender Inequalities in Employment and Wage-earning among Economic Migrants in Chinese Cities," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 34(6), pages 175-202.
    12. He Yang & Changan Li & Zhaoxing Sun, 2023. "The Impact Mechanism of Work Experience on the Income of Flexible Workers: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-22, November.
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    14. Farha Fatema & Zhaohua Li & Mohammad Monirul Islam, 2017. "Trade Liberalization and Gender Inequality in Emerging Economies - from the Perspective of Sustainable Development Goals," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 7(11), pages 1075-1092, November.

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