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Birds of a Feather Earn Together. Gender and Peer Effects at the Workplace

Author

Listed:
  • Messina, Julián

    (Universidad de Alicante)

  • Sanz-de-Galdeano, Anna

    (Universidad de Alicante)

  • Terskaya, Anastasia

    (University of Barcelona)

Abstract

Utilizing comprehensive administrative data from Brazil, we investigate the impact of peer effects on wages, considering both within-gender and cross-gender dynamics. Since the average productivity of both individuals and their peers is unobservable, we estimate these values using worker fixed effects while accounting for occupational and firm sorting. Our findings reveal that within-gender peer effects have approximately twice the influence of cross-gender peer effects on wages for both males and females. Furthermore, we observe a reduction in the disparity between these two types of peer effects in settings characterized by greater gender equality.

Suggested Citation

  • Messina, Julián & Sanz-de-Galdeano, Anna & Terskaya, Anastasia, 2024. "Birds of a Feather Earn Together. Gender and Peer Effects at the Workplace," IZA Discussion Papers 16721, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16721
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    peer effects; gender; matched employer-employee data; identity; wage determination;
    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
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • M54 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Labor Management

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