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The hidden role of women in family firms

Author

Listed:
  • Paula Rodríguez-Modroño

    (Department of Economics, Quantitative Methods and Economic History, Universidad Pablo de Olavide)

  • Lina Gálvez-Muñoz

    (Department of Economics, Quantitative Methods and Economic History, Universidad Pablo de Olavide)

  • Astrid Agenjo-Calderón

    (Universidad Pablo de Olavide)

Abstract

Women have historically played an important hidden role in family firms, and a great deal of research is now shedding light on this role. In spite of the more formal nature of their work in the present day, still a considerable volume of women’s contributions remains invisible to official statistics. This study, based on interviews with over 500 women in small and medium family firms, brings this informal work into view, quantifying it in terms of hours worked and monetary value, exploring the reasons for its informality and examining the risks and precariousness it entails.

Suggested Citation

  • Paula Rodríguez-Modroño & Lina Gálvez-Muñoz & Astrid Agenjo-Calderón, 2015. "The hidden role of women in family firms," Working Papers 15.01, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Department of Economics, Quantitative Methods and Economic History, revised Dec 2015.
    • Handle: RePEc:pab:wphaei:15.01
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    3. Nancy Folbre & Julie A. Nelson, 2000. "For Love or Money--Or Both?," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 14(4), pages 123-140, Fall.
    4. Susan Himmelweit, 1995. "The discovery of “unpaid work”: the social consequences of the expansion of “work”," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(2), pages 1-19.
    5. Overbeke, Kathyann Kessler & Bilimoria, Diana & Perelli, Sheri, 2013. "The dearth of daughter successors in family businesses: Gendered norms, blindness to possibility, and invisibility," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 4(3), pages 201-212.
    6. Agarwal, Bina, 1997. "Bargaining and gender relations: within and beyond the household," FCND discussion papers 27, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    7. Bina Agarwal, 1997. "''Bargaining'' and Gender Relations: Within and Beyond the Household," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 1-51.
    8. Sara Horrell & Jane Humphries, 1995. "Women's labour force participation and the transition to the male-breadwinner family, 1790-1865," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 48(1), pages 89-117, February.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    North-South; growth model; innovation assimilation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • M20 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - General
    • N80 - Economic History - - Micro-Business History - - - General, International, or Comparative

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