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Passion and attractiveness on display: an examination of gender bias in crowdfunding

Author

Listed:
  • Chaim Letwin

    (Suffolk University)

  • Michael P. Ciuchta

    (University of Massachusetts Lowell)

  • Michael Johnson

    (Louisiana State University)

  • Regan Stevenson

    (Indiana University Bloomington)

  • Cameron Ford

    (University of Central Florida)

Abstract

Surface cues such as displays of passion and physical attractiveness can affect crowdfunding outcomes. Yet the efficacy of these cues may be contingent on other attributes of the entrepreneur, such as their gender. We integrate insights from the elaboration likelihood model of persuasion with those of expectancy violation theory to develop and test a theoretical framework in which the benefit of these cues is contingent on the gender of the entrepreneur and expectancies associated with it. Furthermore, we introduce a novel measurement technique to assess individuals’ implicit gender-based biases related to passion and attractiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Chaim Letwin & Michael P. Ciuchta & Michael Johnson & Regan Stevenson & Cameron Ford, 2024. "Passion and attractiveness on display: an examination of gender bias in crowdfunding," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 63(1), pages 165-192, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:63:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s11187-023-00808-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-023-00808-9
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Entrepreneurship; Resource acquisition; Gender bias; Implicit bias; Crowdfunding; Passion; Attractiveness;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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