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Women in economics: the role of gendered references at entry in the profession

Author

Listed:
  • Audinga Baltrunaite

    (Bank of Italy and CEPR)

  • Alessandra Casarico

    (Bocconi University, CESIfo and Dondena)

  • Lucia Rizzica

    (Bank of Italy)

Abstract

We study the presence and the extent of gender differences in reference letters for graduate students in economics and finance, and how these differences relate to early labor market outcomes. To these ends, we build a novel rich dataset and combine Natural Language Processing techniques with standard regression analysis. We find that men are described more often as brilliant and women as hardworking and diligent. We show that the former (latter) description relates positively (negatively) with various subsequent career outcomes. We provide evidence that the observed differences in the way candidates are described are driven by implicit gender stereotypes.

Suggested Citation

  • Audinga Baltrunaite & Alessandra Casarico & Lucia Rizzica, 2024. "Women in economics: the role of gendered references at entry in the profession," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1438, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    • Handle: RePEc:bdi:wptemi:td_1438_24
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Slonimczyk, Fabian, 2025. "This Candidate is [MASK]. Prompt-based Sentiment Extraction and Reference Letters," MPRA Paper 126675, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations

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