Gender differences in choosing to enter competitions: Focal random selection from a preselected pool removes the difference in competitiveness between men & women and does not dilute the qualifications of the entrants

Focal random selection closes the gender gap in competitiveness. Joël Berger et al. Science Advances  Nov 20 2020:Vol. 6, no. 47, eabb2142. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb2142

Abstract: Gender differences in choosing to enter competitions are an important cause of the leaky pipeline for women in leadership roles and represent a considerable waste of human resources. We used an incentivized laboratory experiment to evaluate whether the introduction of random elements alters the gender gap in competitiveness. We found that focal random selection from a preselected pool removes the difference in competitiveness between men and women and does not dilute the qualifications of the entrants. The percentage of women who took part in competitions was nearly triple, and that of high-ability women double, with focal random selection compared to selection in pure performance competitions. In contrast, the behavior of men remained largely unchanged. Focal random selection closes the gender gap in competitiveness and can substantially enlarge the pool of high-performing women who apply for top jobs.

DISCUSSION

Our findings suggest that the pool of high-performing women who apply for top jobs can be substantially enlarged by the introduction of focal random selection. Consequently, the pipeline for women to leadership positions can be made less leaky without lowering candidates’ performance. Moreover, focal random selection closes the gender pay gap among high performers. In addition, differences between men and women in entering competition caused by gender stereotypes are completely eliminated by randomness. Our findings, therefore, point to the relevance of gender stereotypes as an underlying mechanism of gender gap in competitiveness. Further research is required to find out which degree of competitiveness should be applied in the focal random selection procedure to achieve adequate characteristics of the selected leader. More research is also needed to study the effects of focal random selection in the field.