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

Author

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  • Lucía Del Carpio

    (INSEAD, Department of Economics, 77300 Fontainebleau, France)

  • Maria Guadalupe

    (INSEAD, Department of Economics, 77300 Fontainebleau, France)

Abstract

We study the impact of using informational messaging aimed at encouraging women to seek a career in technology and the resulting trade-offs for organizations pursuing recruitment strategies of this kind. Our treatment, implemented through two field experiments among potential applicants to a five-month software-coding program targeted at low-income women in Peru and Mexico, counterbalances the strong male stereotype associated with a career in tech. Although our informational messages substantially increase application rates, including candidates at the top of the cognitive skill distribution, they introduce negative selection on cognitive skills, implying a higher cost of screening. Moreover, we observe selection on the noncognitive dimensions addressed with the treatment (e.g., stronger gender stereotypes and traditional norms). This points to the barriers that preclude more women from applying to tech positions, as well as the trade-offs for organizations of adopting such a strategy.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucía Del Carpio & Maria Guadalupe, 2022. "More Women in Tech? Evidence from a Field Experiment Addressing Social Identity," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 68(5), pages 3196-3218, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormnsc:v:68:y:2022:i:5:p:3196-3218
    DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.2021.4035
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    Cited by:

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    2. Larissa Fuchs & Pia Pinger & Philipp Seegers, 2025. "Relative Grades and Gender Differences in STEM Enrollment," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2025_633, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    3. Larissa Fuchs & Matthias Heinz & Pia Pinger & Max Thon, 2024. "How to Attract Talent? Field-Experimental Evidence on Emphasizing Flexibility and Career Opportunities in Job Advertisements," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 332, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
    4. Kenneth Ohei & Evangelos Mantzaris & Bhekabantu Alson Ntshangase, 2023. "Re-examining the gender factored agentic and communal career profession of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) students," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 12(6), pages 146-152, September.
    5. Athey, Susan & Palikot, Emil, 2022. "Effective and Scalable Programs to Facilitate Labor Market Transitions for Women in Technology," Research Papers 4063, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    6. Katherine B. Coffman & Manuela R. Collis & Leena Kulkarni, 2024. "Whether to Apply," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 70(7), pages 4649-4669, July.
    7. Abraham, Lisa & Hallermeier, Johannes & Stein, Alison, 2024. "Words matter: Experimental evidence from job applications," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 348-391.
    8. Cagatay Bircan & Guido Friebel & Tristan Stahl, 2025. "Gender Promotion Gaps in Knowledge Work: The Role of Task Assignment in Teams," RFBerlin Discussion Paper Series 2518, ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin (RFBerlin).
    9. Muller, Noël & Fruttero, Anna & Calvo-González, Óscar & de Hoop, Jacobus, 2026. "Policies for aspirations. And opportunities," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    10. Bramucci, Francesca & Munoz Boudet, Ana Maria & Viollaz, Mariana, 2025. "Promoting Women’s Leadership : What Works, What Doesn’t, and What’s Missing," Policy Research Working Paper Series 11239, The World Bank.
    11. Abraham, Martin & Wieser, Luisa & Schnabel, Claus & Niessen, Cornelia & Bergmann, Sara, 2025. "The Digital Gender Divide in Germany: The Role of Preferences and Constraints in Digital Involvement and Wages," IZA Discussion Papers 18097, IZA Network @ LISER.
    12. World Bank, 2024. "Unleashing Aspirations While Ensuring Opportunities Could Help Reduce Teenage Pregnancy in Latin America and the Caribbean," World Bank Publications - Reports 41793, The World Bank Group.
    13. Stefan C. Wolter & Thea S. Zöllner, 2025. "Are parents an obstacle to gender-atypical occupational choices?," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 38(4), pages 1-19, December.
    14. Muller, Noël & Fruttero,Anna & Calvo-Gonzalez,Oscar & De Hoop,Jacobus Joost, 2024. "Policies for Aspirations and Opportunities," Policy Research Working Paper Series 192482, The World Bank.
    15. Collis, Manuela R. & Van Effenterre, Clémentine, 2025. "Workplace Hostility," IZA Discussion Papers 18302, IZA Network @ LISER.
    16. Donald, Aletheia Amalia & Islam, TM Tonmoy & Robakowski-Van Stralen, Anja, 2024. "Explaining Gender Differences in Economic Outcomes in Burkina Faso," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10809, The World Bank.
    17. Brenøe, Anne & Rutnam, Daphne, 2026. "Parents' Perceptions of Occupational Fit," IZA Discussion Papers 18431, IZA Network @ LISER.
    18. Claudio Schilter, 2025. "How Selectivity Shapes Selection," Economics of Education Working Paper Series 0236, University of Zurich, Department of Business Administration (IBW).
    19. Paula Scholz, 2025. "It's Not About the Money – Or Is It? Stereotypes and the Gender Application Gap," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 359, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
    20. Martina Zanella, 2024. "Stereotypical Selection," Trinity Economics Papers tep0224, Trinity College Dublin, Department of Economics, revised Aug 2024.
    21. Linus Dahlander & Arne Thomas & Martin W. Wallin & Rebecka C. Ångström, 2023. "Blinded by the person? Experimental evidence from idea evaluation," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(10), pages 2443-2459, October.
    22. Carcillo, Stéphane & Valfort, Marie-Anne & Vergara Merino, Pedro, 2025. "Combating LGBTphobia in Schools: Evidence from a Field Experiment in France," IZA Discussion Papers 17683, IZA Network @ LISER.
    23. Bernd Beber & Tabea Lakemann & Regina Schnars & Jann Lay, 2025. "Employment Effects of Skills Trainings in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review of Recent Randomized Controlled Trials," De Economist, Springer, vol. 173(1), pages 87-120, March.

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