What is it about?
In this pilot study we explore the mutual conditionality of bargaining power between spouses in the processes of intra-household allocation of resources (care work) and the assignment of their roles in family businesses (paid work) in Vojvodina, Serbia. Our intention is to explain the changes in gender relations in family businesses run by spouses under different socio-economic and institutional conditions, and especially in the context of enforced postsocialist neoliberal transformation after 2009. We formulate a theoretical and methodological framework based on the case of ten firms and check its validity for deeper and wider research into the key causes, forms and characteristics of gender bias in this area.
Featured Image
Why is it important?
The results of our pilot research indicate that the actual business dynamic within the spouse-run family business sector does not support the idea that the changes are leading in the direction of greater gender equality. There are still many signs that demonstrate the perpetuation of patriarchal, traditional and authoritarian patterns of gender relations. It seems that changes in spouse-run family businesses are following the general direction of the changes in business environment, economy and society implied in the process of enforced neo-liberal economic and social change of Serbia.
Perspectives
We anticipate that our applied theoretical framework and empirical data will be useful in giving an understanding of these specific processes taking place in Serbia. We are also aware that our interpretation has limits in terms of generalisation. However, our research results may stimulate further and similar research in other postsocialist countries, especially in the immediate area. We continue our research in the hope that its results will be useful not only in the definition of more gender sensitive care and other public policies, but also in contributing to a real improvement in the position of women in family businesses, the economy and society.
Dr Tatjana TDjK Djuric Kuzmanovic
Higher School of Professional Business Studies
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Spouses in the Household and the Family Business – Who (does) the Care and Who (does) the Work, Gender Studies, January 2015, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1515/genst-2016-0012.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
