Abstract:
Several studies on gender performance reveal that enterprises run by
males generally outperform those run by females. This article examines
the performance differences between male and female entrepreneurs in
the informal service sector in India, using the NSSO (National Sample
Survey Organisation) data. It attempts to understand the nature of
female entrepreneurial activity, their pattern, causes and comparability
vis-à-vis male entrepreneurship. Performance of male and female
entrepreneurs has been compared in terms of efficiency. In the traditional
sector although female entrepreneurs are less efficient than their
male counterparts, they emerge to be more efficient in the commercial
enterprises. An analysis pertaining to the influence of various factors
explaining such differences in performance has also been made.
