Breaking Down Information Inequality: Evidence from a Field Experiment in the Technology Industry

Jung Ho Choi, Surya Ierokomos and Adina Sterling
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Surya Ierokomos: Stanford U
Adina Sterling: Columbia U

Research Papers from Stanford University, Graduate School of Business

Abstract: The under-representation of women in the technology industry has long been rec- ognized as a concern, and the provision of gender-specific information on job search platforms has emerged as a potential solution. In this research, we study how gender- specific information about employers may improve the search behavior of women on search platforms and lead to better job search outcomes. Through a randomized experiment on a professional job search platform, we find that the inclusion of gender-specific information in employee survey outcomes did not have the expected effects on job search. Instead of boosting job search activity, gender-specific information reduced user engagement on the job search platform, albeit less for women than men. In a follow-on abductive study, we discuss the multiple potential mechanisms affecting our results, and the implications of our findings within the existing literature.

JEL-codes: D63 D83 J16 J62 J64 M12 M21 M41 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp, nep-gen, nep-hrm and nep-ict
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ecl:stabus:4119

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