Gender and Successful Human Resource Decisions in Small Busi

This comprehensive study is the first to examine the impact of gender on human resource practices in small businesses. Using survey and interview data, the author examines the relationship between small business owners' gender, past experience, choice of business, competitive business strategy, and the effect of human resource decisions on firm performance.

The relationship between the personal characteristics of small business owners and their companies' business strategies has a strong impact on human resource decisions made within these businesses, directly impacting the financial performance of the firm. Specifically, the small business owner's gender and past experience impact the type of business they decide to go into, the competitive business strategy pursued within that area, and the subsequent human resource programming implemented.