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How is global commerce affecting the gender composition of employment? A firm-level analysis of the effects of exposure to gender norms via trade and FDI

Author

Listed:
  • Carolina Lennon

    (Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business)

  • Alyssa Schneebaum

    (Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business)

Abstract
Global firms have a higher share of female employees than domestic non-exporters. To explain this fact, this paper tests whether international trade and FDI are channels through which norms regarding gender (in)equality are transmitted from customers and investors to firms. We employ pooled cross-sectional data from 2007 - 2016 for around 28,000 firms in 104 different countries. We compare global versus non-global firms in the same market to study the infuence of firms' exposure to gender norms in commercial partner countries. The results show a race to the top for low- and mid-level jobs and the opposite for top managerial positions.

Suggested Citation

  • Carolina Lennon & Alyssa Schneebaum, 2023. "How is global commerce affecting the gender composition of employment? A firm-level analysis of the effects of exposure to gender norms via trade and FDI," Department of Economics Working Papers wuwp331, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wiw:wiwwuw:wuwp331
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Greenhill, Brian & Mosley, Layna & Prakash, Aseem, 2009. "Trade-based Diffusion of Labor Rights: A Panel Study, 1986–2002," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 103(4), pages 669-690, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Joyce P. Jacobsen & Sooyoung A. Lee, 2024. "Firm Survival and Gender Composition of Employment: Evidence from Vietnam," Wesleyan Economics Working Papers 2024-009, Wesleyan University, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    globalization; international trade; FDI; gender; transmission of social norms;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F66 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Labor
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • F42 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - International Policy Coordination and Transmission
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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