Are Women More Credit Constrained? Experimental Evidence on Gender and Microenterprise Returns

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
Year: 2009
Volume: 1
Issue: 3
Pages: 1-32

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We report on a field experiment providing random grants to microenterprise owners. The grants generated large profit increases for male owners but not for female owners. We show that the gender gap does not simply mask differences in ability, risk aversion, entrepreneurial attitudes, or differences in reporting behavior, but there is some evidence that the gender gap is larger in female-dominated industries. The data are not consistent with a unitary household model, and imply an inefficiency of resource allocation within households. We show evidence that this inefficiency is reduced in more cooperative households. (JEL D13, D14, J16, L25, L26, O12, O16)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejapp:v:1:y:2009:i:3:p:1-32
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25