Abstract

ZABLUDOVSKY KUPER, Gina. Women and Companies: Statistical Trends and Conceptual Debates. Rev. mex. cienc. polít. soc [online]. 2020, vol.65, n.240, pp.431-459.  Epub Feb 28, 2021. ISSN 0185-1918.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fcpys.2448492xe.2020.240.76632.

The article examines the role of women in business from an academic approach that embraces the analysis of statistical data and conceptual debates. The study examines the problems associated with the definitions of some key terms such as “independent worker”, “self-employed”, “entrepreneur”, “employer” and/or “empowerment” and warns about the research problems related with the use of an ambiguous lexicon. The article presents an analysis of gender-disaggregated data about occupations, university enrollment, managerial and executive positions, and domestic duties and shows how cultural preconceptions related to “male” and “female” employments still dominate in contemporary societies. As for women business owners, the main objective of this study, the conclusions show that their presence is concentrated in micro and small units -often at the subsistence level- and in retail and services such as education, food and lodging. In contrast, they are practically absent in the areas of mining and construction and as owners of large companies. The text closes emphasizing the importance of a holistic perspective -with the potential to integrate quantitative data, qualitative research and theoretical contributions- for future research on the subject.

Keywords : businesswomen; entrepreneurship; employment; empowerment.

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