The influence of managers’ gender on firms’ export propensity: evidence from Portuguese firms

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of managers' gender on a firm's export propensity. As awareness of gender issues has grown and studies on the role of gender have gained prominence, there is a growing need to explore the relationship between the gender of a firm's manager and the firm's internationalization. Design/methodology/approach Based on a sample of 19,473 Portuguese manufacturing firms for the year 2021, the econometric results were estimated using a probit model. Findings Results indicate that a firm's manager's gender affects the firm's likelihood of engaging in exports. Specifically, firms led by women are less prone to export than those led by men. Moreover, our findings highlight that firm size, productivity, and innovation positively affect firms' export propensity. Originality/value Studies on the role of managers' gender in a firm's export propensity are scarce and have produced mixed results. By focusing on a different country context from those analyzed so far, and using a large sample of Portuguese firms, the present study contributes to the body of knowledge on this subject, which has important practical and policymaking implications.