Title: The gender innovation and research productivity gap in Europe

Authors: Ulrike Busolt, Kordula Kugele

Addresses: Hochschule Furtwangen University, Jakob-Kienzle Str. 17, 78054 Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany. ' Hochschule Furtwangen University, Jakob-Kienzle Str. 17, 78054 Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany

Abstract: Considering that the economic dimension of sustainable development relies on innovation, the under-representation of women in science and technology in the European Union is of special concern. Statistical analysis of patents shows that the low percentage of female researchers (an input indicator) within the EU Member States is accompanied by an even lower percentage of female inventors (an output indicator). We use a simple mathematical model to shed light on the relationships between these findings. The model has one parameter which represents the working conditions, e.g., the distribution of resources by gender. The model allows an estimation of the development of the input-output gap as well as the research productivity gap if the share of female researchers is increased without adequate resources. In this case, a productivity loss for the economy is to be expected.

Keywords: innovation; gender; research productivity; sustainable development; European Union; female researchers; female inventors; productivity gap; sustainability; women in science; women in technology; mathematical modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2009.028066

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2009 Vol.4 No.2/3, pp.109 - 122

Published online: 03 Sep 2009 *

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