Gender Bias in Family Firms: A Comparative Analysis of Italy and Turkey

This thesis explores the possible impact of gender bias in family firms in Italy and Turkey, offering a comparative analysis based on cultural, socio-economic, and organizational contexts. Family firms, as a prevalent business structure in both countries, often reflect gender norms, which may influence decision-making processes, leadership opportunities, and succession planning. The research investigates whether a significant difference exists in the level and nature of gender bias between the two nations and identifies key cultural and socio-economic factors that contribute to these variations. To find tangible differences, a study was conducted among a number of 150 family firms (75 firms for each country) and several variables were taken into account, such as the founder’s gender, the successor’s gender and the presence of female family directorsin the Board of Directors.