Women in inventive activities in Mexico, 1980-2015: a study of the challenges they face

Abstract

This article analyzes the challenges faced by women scientists in Mexico to participate in innovation activities during 1980-2015. Specifically, this article seeks to: i) describe the evolution and nature of inventive activity with female participation; ii) identify which factors influence the propensity of women to be inventors; and iii) contribute policy proposals to foster women’s equitable inclusion in the knowledge and innovation economy. Findings from the empirical study suggest that the following factors promote women’s propensity to become inventors: stock of technological knowledge, inventor team size, company or institutional patents, technological category, and presence of foreign inventors.