The impact of gender barriers on decision-making processes and on the performance of family businesses in Kosova - Economicus

By Ermira QOSJA, Fatos TURKAJ

Abstract
Family businesses are the main pillar of the economy in Kosovo; however, their development and functioning are often hindered by cultural norms and traditional power structures that define gender roles and decision-making mechanisms. The study aims to conduct measurements related to the impact of gender barriers on women’s ability to become part of decision-making processes and to assess how this impact will be reflected in the performance of family businesses, by treating access to decision making as a mediating mechanism. The data of this study were obtained from a sample of 70 managers engaged in family businesses, including an equal number of 35 women and 35 men, through the use of a highly structured questionnaire. For the processing of these data, the following statistical analysis methods were used: descriptive analysis, correlational analysis, linear regression, as well as mediation analysis. The findings show that there is a very significant negative relationship between gender barriers and access to decision-making, and a positive relationship between access to decision-making and business performance. Although gender barriers do not have
a statistically significant direct effect on performance, they show that they indirectly influence it by limiting women’s access to decision-making. The study shows that the full inclusion of women in decision-making processes exerts a mediating role in the
relationship between gender barriers and business performance. In particular, the findings emphasize that the reduction of these barriers, together with the promotion of gender equality, can serve as strategic factors for improving sustainability and achieving the long-term success of family businesses in Kosovo.

Keywords: gender barriers; access to decision-making; family businesses; business performance; gender equality.