Gender Promotion Gaps in Knowledge Work: The Role of Task Assignment in Teams

Çağatay Bircan, Guido Friebel and Tristan Stahl
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Tristan Stahl: Goethe-University Frankfurt

No 2518, RFBerlin Discussion Paper Series from Rockwool Foundation Berlin (RF Berlin)

Abstract: Using rich data on personnel records, work assignments, and performance in a financial institution, we uncover the mechanisms leading to promotion gaps in knowledge teamwork. We find a substantial promotion gap for women in early career stages. Analyzing over 10,000 investment projects reveals that assignments to project team leaderships (a “promotable†task) are crucial in explaining the gaps in promotions and affect long-term careers. We find causal evidence that male supervisors favor male bankers, while women benefit from female supervisors. A survey among employees indicates that women perceive to be disadvantaged in the assignments of tasks, but they do not differ in aspirations and demand for these roles. When a new CEO entered the firm, much of the gap disappears.

Keywords: Careers; gender gaps; visibility; leadership; internal labor market (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D22 J16 J44 M51 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hrm
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