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The Power of Knowing a Woman Is in Charge: Lessons from a Randomized Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Loretti Dobrescu

    (School of Economics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia)

  • Alberto Motta

    (School of Economics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia)

  • Akshay Shanker

    (School of Economics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia; School of Finance, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia)

Abstract

As part of a term-long anonymous assessment, thousands of undergraduate university students were divided into groups, each led by a randomly selected peer. The leader’s gender had no effect on the assessment’s outcomes, but female students led by a female peer achieved 0.26 standard deviations (SD) higher course grades when the gender of the leader was revealed. They also outperformed by 0.22 SD their counterparts in groups in which the leader’s gender was revealed to be male. The mechanism involved attempting more difficult practice questions. Our structural estimates suggest this operated via a stereotype threat reversal that reduced anxiety.

Suggested Citation

  • Loretti Dobrescu & Alberto Motta & Akshay Shanker, 2024. "The Power of Knowing a Woman Is in Charge: Lessons from a Randomized Experiment," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 70(12), pages 8217-8244, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormnsc:v:70:y:2024:i:12:p:8217-8244
    DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.2023.00325
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