Gender Peer Effects in the Workplace: A Field Experiment in Indian Call Centers
54 Pages Posted: 10 Sep 2024
Abstract
Several theories suggest that gender integration in the workplace may have negative effects in gender-segregated societies. This paper presents the results of a randomized controlled trial on the effect of gender integration on work productivity. The study was implemented in call centers located in five Indian cities. Employees were randomized to either mixed gender teams (30-50% female peers) or control groups of same gender teams. For male employees, I find precisely estimated zero effects on both intensive and extensive margins, of being assigned to gender integration treatment. Within mixed-gender teams, men with progressive gender attitudes have higher productivity than those with regressive gender attitudes. Gender attitudes decrease and, knowledge sharing and comfort with opposite gender increases for men in treatment. For female employees, I do not find an effect of treatment on productivity but find a significant decrease in time spent talking and socializing with co-workers, relative to control.
Keywords: firm productivity, experiment, Female Labor Force Participation, gender attitude, gender norms, India
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