JOURNAL OF BUSINESS DIVERSITY

Intellectual Human Capital Dependence, Family-Friendly

Firms, and the Advancement of Women

Author(s): Jaclyn J. Beierlein, Shanan G. Gibson, Samuel L. Tibbs

Citation: Jaclyn J. Beierlein, Shanan G. Gibson, Samuel L. Tibbs, (2011) "Intellectual Human Capital Dependence, Family-Friendly Firms, and the Advancement of Women," Journal of Business Diversity, Vol.11, Iss. 1, pp. 66 - 87

Article Type: Research paper

Publisher: North American Business Press

Abstract:

In the past two decades demand for educated workers has increased wages for skilled labor and induced

more educated women to join the work force. Yet women are still more likely than men to voluntarily

reduce workforce participation to attend to family responsibilities. Replacing them can be difficult and

costly. We find that firms that are highly dependent on intellectual human capital are more likely than

others to appear on “Best Companies” lists and to have female top executives. Firms on these lists often

offer a family-friendly culture and benefits, which help their skilled working parents balance their

responsibilities.