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Do Male Workers Prefer Male Leaders? An Analysis of Principals’ Effects on Teacher Retention

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  • Aliza N. Husain
  • David A. Matsa
  • Amalia R. Miller

Abstract

Using a 40-year panel of public school teachers and principals in New York State, we explore how female principals affect rates of teacher turnover—an important determinant of school quality. We find that male teachers are about 12 percent more likely to leave their schools when they work under female principals than under male principals. In contrast, we find no such effects for female teachers. Furthermore, when male teachers request transfers, they are more likely to request schools with male principals. These results suggest that opposition from male subordinates could inhibit female progress in leadership.

Suggested Citation

  • Aliza N. Husain & David A. Matsa & Amalia R. Miller, 2023. "Do Male Workers Prefer Male Leaders? An Analysis of Principals’ Effects on Teacher Retention," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 58(5), pages 1480-1522.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:58:y:2023:i:5:p:1480-1522
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.58.5.1118-9838R2
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    Cited by:

    1. Eren, Ozkan, 2023. "Potential in-group bias at work: Evidence from performance evaluations," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 296-312.
    2. Irene Campos-García & José Ángel Zúñiga-Vicente, 2019. "The female presence in different organisational positions and performance in secondary schools: Does a woman leader function as mediator?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(9), pages 1-25, September.
    3. Bartanen, Brendan & Husain, Aliza N., 2022. "Connected networks in principal value-added models," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J45 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Public Sector Labor Markets
    • J63 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions

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