Representation is Not Sufficient for Selecting Gender Diversity

Abstract

Representation of women and minorities in a “selectorate” — the group that chooses an organization’s leaders — is a key mechanism for promoting diversity. We show that representation, on its own, is not sufficient for selecting gender diversity: a supportive organizational culture is also required. In the case of the Internet Engineering Task Force, a random increase in female representation in its selection committee caused an increase in female appointments only after cultural norms supporting diversity and inclusion became more salient.

Keywords: Gender, diversity, selectorate, STEM, standards

JEL Classification: D02, M14, O32, J16, J71