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Are family-friendly workplace practices a valuable firm resource?

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  • Bloom, Nick
  • Kretschmer, Tobias
  • Van Reenen, John

Abstract

We study the determinants and consequences of family-friendly workplace practices (FFWP) using a sample of over 450 manufacturing firms in Germany, France, U.K., and U.S. We find a positive correlation between firm productivity and FFWP. This association disappears, however, once we control for a measure of the quality of management practices. We further find that firms with a higher proportion of female managers and more skilled workers, as well as well-managed firms, tend to implement more FFWP. Conversely, a firm's environment does not have a significant impact on the FFWP it provides.

Suggested Citation

  • Bloom, Nick & Kretschmer, Tobias & Van Reenen, John, 2011. "Are family-friendly workplace practices a valuable firm resource?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 33892, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:33892
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    work-life balance; family-friendly work practices; nonmarket strategies; firm performance; management practices; resource-based view;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J81 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Working Conditions
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects

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