%0 Report
        %A Fairlie, Robert W.
%A Robb, Alicia
        %T Gender Differences in Business Performance: Evidence from the Characteristics of Business Owners Survey
        %D 2008
        %8 2008 Sep
        %I Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        %C Bonn
        %7 IZA Discussion Paper
        %N 3718
        %U https://www.iza.org/publications/dp3718
        %X Using confidential microdata from the U.S. Census Bureau, we investigate the performance of female-owned businesses making comparisons to male-owned businesses. Using regression estimates and a decomposition technique, we explore the role that human capital, especially through prior work experience, and financial capital play in contributing to why female-owned businesses have lower survival rates, profits, employment and sales. We find that female-owned businesses are less successful than male-owned businesses because they have less startup capital, and business human capital acquired through prior work experience in a similar business and prior work experience in family business. We also find some evidence that female-owned businesses work fewer hours and may have different preferences for the goals of their business.
        %K female entrepreneurship
%K business outcomes