Gender-Based Differences Among Entrepreneurs and Workers in Lebanon
Are there significant differences between the perceptions and labor market experiences of male and female entrepreneurs and workers in Lebanon? Are such differences important to the optimal deployment of females in the workforce? This report approaches these issues empirically through two surveys conducted in 2007. The first was a survey of 235 formal sector firms (109 female owned and 126 male owned) and the second was a survey of 615 workers (342 females and 273 males). Careful attention was paid to sampling and definitions to ensure reliable results. The samples for both surveys were stratified by sector of activity and firm size (defined by number of employees). Sample sizes were large enough to allow for statistically rigorous comparison between the two gender groups. Also, attention was paid to ensure that the definition of entrepreneur captured those who are operationally active in the management of their companies. In certain earlier surveys, share ownership had been used to define entrepreneurs, which could be misleading since some businesses are registered under the name of female owners who have no active role in company management.