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Silenced by Incivility

Author

Listed:
  • Kristin Bain

    (Saunders College of Business, Rochester Institute of Technology)

  • Kathryn Coll

    (College of Business, University of Nevada Reno)

  • Tamar A. Kreps

    (Shidler College of Business, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa)

  • Elizabeth R. Tenney

    (David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah)

Abstract

Some theories suggest that women anticipate negative consequences (i.e., backlash) for counter-stereotypical actions and take steps to avoid those consequences. We propose that women may expect gender-based backlash for voicing, or contributing ideas that challenge the status quo, and thus engage in more silence (withholding those contributions) than men. However, we also propose that women anticipate gender backlash, and hence engage in more silence, only when other group members’ behavior signals that deviating from prescribed gender norms is risky. In two studies with over 3000 participants, we found that incivility increased women’s expectation that voicing would lead to gender backlash. In turn, women engaged in more silence than men in uncivil groups, but we found no gender difference in silence in civil groups. Our findings reveal that certain situations differentially alert people to interpersonal risks, thus influencing their decision to withhold contributions.

Suggested Citation

  • Kristin Bain & Kathryn Coll & Tamar A. Kreps & Elizabeth R. Tenney, 2025. "Silenced by Incivility," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 198(1), pages 107-125, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:198:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-024-05799-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-024-05799-5
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