Gender and the innovativeness of the enterprise: the case of transition countries

Little knowledge exists on the differences in innovative behavior between men and women leading small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in countries in transition. This paper analyses whether there is a gender gap which would explain the differing amounts of innovativeness shown by SMEs and those managing them. Results show that the propensity to innovate is higher among female owners and this finding is consistent across all 5 measures of innovativeness.

Thus, it is suggested, female involvement in business can be beneficial for the innovative sustainable development of an economy. Consideration of the differences in the performance and effect of innovative actions did not, however, reveal any statistical gender advantage in terms of efficiency.