Strategic Management Decisions in Power Positions to Achieve Business Excellence in Small Service Businesses: Does Gender Matter?

European Accounting and Management Review, Vol. 1, Issue 1, 2014

25 Pages Posted: 2 Dec 2014

See all articles by María del Mar Alonso‐Almeida

María del Mar Alonso‐Almeida

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid - Faculty of Economic Science and Business Studies

Kerstin Bremser

Pforzheim University

Date Written: December 1, 2014

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a 2009 survey of 136 Spanish small service businesses. Male and female owners of travel agencies were interviewed to indicate their crisis readiness and measures taken to confront the crisis. Gender based differences in strategic decision-making were detected. Whereas men and women were equally successful to overcome the crisis, their strategies differed. Women were on average significantly younger, employed measures focusing on price, kept social measures intact and employed to a lesser extent drastic measures to reduce costs (layoffs, dismissals). Men used drastic measures most. The differences in strategic choice can be attributed to a gender specific leadership style.

Keywords: Gender, Crisis management, Tourism, Small services, Decision-taking.

JEL Classification: M54, L83, J16

Suggested Citation

Alonso Almeida, María del Mar and Bremser, Kerstin, Strategic Management Decisions in Power Positions to Achieve Business Excellence in Small Service Businesses: Does Gender Matter? (December 1, 2014). European Accounting and Management Review, Vol. 1, Issue 1, 2014, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2532404

María del Mar Alonso Almeida (Contact Author)

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid - Faculty of Economic Science and Business Studies ( email )

Calle Francisco Tomás y Valiente, 5
Madrid, 28049
Spain

Kerstin Bremser

Pforzheim University ( email )

Tiefenbronner Str. 65
75175 Pforzheim
Germany

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