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More Women in Tech? Evidence from a Field Experiment Addressing Social Identity

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  • Del Carpio, Lucía

    (INSEAD)

  • Guadalupe, Maria

    (INSEAD)

Abstract

This paper investigates whether social identity considerations-through beliefs and normsdrive women's occupational choices. We implement two field experiments with potential applicants to a five-month software-coding program offered to women from low-income backgrounds in Peru and Mexico. When we correct the perception that women cannot succeed in technology by providing role models, information on returns and access to a female network, application rates double and the self-selection patterns change. Analysis of those patterns suggests that identity considerations act as barriers to entering the technology sector and that some high-cognitive skill women do not apply because of their high identity costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Del Carpio, Lucía & Guadalupe, Maria, 2018. "More Women in Tech? Evidence from a Field Experiment Addressing Social Identity," IZA Discussion Papers 11876, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp11876
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    2. Guido Friebel & Matthias Heinz & Mitchell Hoffman & Nick Zubanov, 2023. "What Do Employee Referral Programs Do? Measuring the Direct and Overall Effects of a Management Practice," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 131(3), pages 633-686.
    3. Clotilde Napp & Thomas Breda, 2022. "The stereotype that girls lack talent: A worldwide investigation," Post-Print halshs-03672465, HAL.
    4. Beber, Bernd & Dworschak, Regina & Lakemann, Tabea & Lay, Jann & Priebe, Jan, 2021. "Skills Development and Training Interventions in Africa: Findings, Challenges, and Opportunities," RWI Projektberichte, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, number 247426.
    5. Biewen, Martin & Schwerter, Jakob, 2019. "Does More Math in High School Increase the Share of Female STEM Workers? Evidence from a Curriculum Reform," IZA Discussion Papers 12236, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. Flory, Jeffrey A. & Leibbrandt, Andreas & Rott, Christina & Stoddard, Olga B., 2021. "Signals from On High and the Power of Growth Mindset: A Natural Field Experiment in Attracting Minorities to High-Profile Positions," IZA Discussion Papers 14383, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    7. Beber, Bernd & Lakemann, Tabea & Schnars, Regina & Lay, Jann, 2024. "Employment effects of skills trainings in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of recent randomized controlled trials," Ruhr Economic Papers 1080, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    8. Agurto, M. & Bazan, M. & Hari, S. & Sarangi, S., 2021. "Women in Engineering: The Role of Role Models," GLO Discussion Paper Series 975, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    9. Fruttero,Anna & Muller,Noel & Calvo-Gonzalez,Oscar, 2021. "The Power and Roots of Aspirations : A Survey of the Empirical Evidence," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9729, The World Bank.
    10. So Yoon Ahn & Youjin Hahn & Semee Yoon, 2021. "Can New Learning Opportunities Reshape Gender Attitudes for Girls?: Field Evidence from Tanzania," Working Papers 2021-046, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
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    12. Clotilde Napp & Thomas Breda, 2022. "The stereotype that girls lack talent: A worldwide investigation," PSE-Ecole d'économie de Paris (Postprint) halshs-03672465, HAL.
    13. Sandor Katona & Anna Lovasz, 2021. "The Role of the Gender Composition of Performance Feedback on Peers in Shaping Persistence and Performance," CERS-IE WORKING PAPERS 2105, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social norms; occupational segregation; identity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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