The Proportion of Females in the Establishment: Discrimination, Preferences and Technology

Canadian Public Policy, 1999, 25, 73-94

Posted: 31 Mar 2013

See all articles by Kevin T. Reilly

Kevin T. Reilly

Independent

Tony S. Wirjanto

University of Waterloo - School of Accounting and Finance; University of Waterloo, Department of Statistics & Actuarial Science

Date Written: 1999

Abstract

This paper examines determinants of the proportion of females in the establishment as this variable can affect the male-female wage gap in an important way. Our search for the determinants is guided by two views of the labour market, namely discrimination and coincidence of needs between firms and workers. Results suggest that establishments have a higher proportion of females when employment is higher during the school year and employment turnover is higher, the more stable the demand for the output, the higher the proportion of white-collar employees, and the smaller the local labour market. This suggests that public policy based on one view of how the labour market works may produce unintended results that will not necessarily improve the welfare of the very groups targeted.

JEL Classification: J71, J78

Suggested Citation

Reilly, Kevin T. and Wirjanto, Tony S., The Proportion of Females in the Establishment: Discrimination, Preferences and Technology (1999). Canadian Public Policy, 1999, 25, 73-94, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2241858

Kevin T. Reilly

Independent

Tony S. Wirjanto (Contact Author)

University of Waterloo - School of Accounting and Finance ( email )

200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1
Canada
519-888-4567 x35210 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://https://uwaterloo.ca/statistics-and-actuarial-science/people-profiles/tony-wirjanto

University of Waterloo, Department of Statistics & Actuarial Science ( email )

200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1
Canada
519-888-4567 x35210 (Phone)
519-746-1875 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://math.uwaterloo.ca/statistics-and-actuarial-science/people-profiles/tony-wirjanto

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