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Gender Differences in Volunteer's Dilemma: Evidence from Teamwork among Graduate Students

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  • Dogan, Pinar

    (Harvard Kennedy School)

Abstract

Using data from room bookings at the Harvard Kennedy School, I find that female students volunteer significantly more than male students in booking rooms for team meetings. I also find that gender difference in undertaking this logistical task is statistically and quantitatively significant only when students have limited interaction prior to teamwork. Even though booking a room involves a relatively small (time) cost, such costs can add up, and also contribute to gender stereotyping in allocation of tasks in other team settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Dogan, Pinar, 2019. "Gender Differences in Volunteer's Dilemma: Evidence from Teamwork among Graduate Students," Working Paper Series rwp19-001, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecl:harjfk:rwp19-001
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    File URL: https://research.hks.harvard.edu/publications/getFile.aspx?Id=1728
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Cabrales, Antonio & Garcia-Fontes, Walter & Motta, Massimo, 2000. "Risk dominance selects the leader: An experimental analysis," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 137-162, January.
    3. Diekmann, Andreas, 1993. "Cooperation in an Asymmetric Volunteer's Dilemma Game: Theory and Experimental Evidence," International Journal of Game Theory, Springer;Game Theory Society, vol. 22(1), pages 75-85.
    4. Andreas Diekmann, 1985. "Volunteer's Dilemma," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 29(4), pages 605-610, December.
    5. Linda Babcock & Maria P. Recalde & Lise Vesterlund, 2017. "Gender Differences in the Allocation of Low-Promotability Tasks: The Role of Backlash," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 107(5), pages 131-135, May.
    6. Linda Babcock & Maria P. Recalde & Lise Vesterlund & Laurie Weingart, 2017. "Gender Differences in Accepting and Receiving Requests for Tasks with Low Promotability," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 107(3), pages 714-747, March.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C71 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Cooperative Games
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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