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Closing the Gender Leadership Gap: Competitive versus Cooperative Institutions

Author

Listed:
  • Catherine C. Eckel

    (Texas A&M University)

  • Lata Gangadharan

    (Monash University)

  • Philip J. Grossman

    (Monash University)

  • Miranda Lambert

    (Texas A&M University)

  • Nina Xue

    (WU Vienna University of Economics and Business,)

Abstract

Motivated by the stereotype that women are more cooperative and less competitive, we investigate how the institutional environment impacts the gender leadership gap. An experiment tests leaders’ impact on earnings under competitive (“winner take all”) versus cooperative (equal earnings distribution) incentive schemes. All leaders enhance efficiency similarly, but a gender gap emerges in the competitive context where women receive lower evaluations for identical advice. This bias disappears in the cooperative context where female leaders are evaluated 50% higher, suggesting that congruence between the environment and gender stereotypes has important policy implications. Men are more willing to lead, regardless of context.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine C. Eckel & Lata Gangadharan & Philip J. Grossman & Miranda Lambert & Nina Xue, 2025. "Closing the Gender Leadership Gap: Competitive versus Cooperative Institutions," Monash Economics Working Papers 2025-13, Monash University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:mos:moswps:2025-13
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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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