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Toward Value Co-Creation: Increasing Women’s Presence in Management Positions through Competition against a Set Target

Author

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  • Irene Comeig

    () (Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar Comportament Econòmic i Social (ERICES), Department of Corporte Finance, University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain)

  • Ainhoa Jaramillo-Gutiérrez

    () (Laboratorio de Economía Experimental (LEE), Economics Department, University Jaume I, 12071 Castellón de la Plana, Spain)

  • Federico Ramírez

    () (Department of Corporate Finance, University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain)

Abstract

Despite empirical evidence that women’s presence in management positions is a source of value co-creation for firms, these positions are still male-dominated. Some evidence from experimental economics suggests that one reason for this imbalance is that women shy away from competition. However, most of these studies have focused on competition systems that pit individuals against each other. We present an economic laboratory experiment that compares competition against others with competition against a set target. The crucial difference is that whereas the former involves competing against opponents, the latter does not. Our results show that significantly more women are willing to compete against a set target than against others. Furthermore, there is no reduction in men’s participation and no general efficiency reduction. Our findings suggest that firms that aim at value co-creation and sustainability through a gender-neutral promotion mechanism should introduce competition against a set target and reduce competition against others. This paper contributes to dispelling stereotypes about women’s reluctance to compete.

Suggested Citation

  • Irene Comeig & Ainhoa Jaramillo-Gutiérrez & Federico Ramírez, 2017. "Toward Value Co-Creation: Increasing Women’s Presence in Management Positions through Competition against a Set Target," Sustainability, MDPI, Open Access Journal, vol. 9(10), pages 1-10, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:10:p:1833-:d:114647
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:10:p:3623-:d:174744 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Carpenter, Jeffrey & Frank, Rachel & Huet-Vaughn, Emiliano, 2018. "Gender differences in interpersonal and intrapersonal competitive behavior," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 170-176.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    behavior; competition; decision-making; experimental economics; gender; sustainability; value co-creation;

    JEL classification:

    • Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics
    • Q0 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General
    • Q2 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation
    • Q3 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation
    • Q5 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products

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