Gender and Peer Effects on Performance in Social Networks

Julie Beugnot, Bernard Fortin, Guy Lacroix, MarieeClaire Villeval
2018 Social Science Research Network  
We investigate whether peer effects at work differ by gender and whether gender differences in peer effects -if any-depend on work organization. We develop a social network model with gender heterogeneity that we test in a real-effort laboratory experiment. We compare sequential networks in which information flows from peers to the worker and simultaneous networks where it disseminates bi-directionally. We identify strong gender differences as females disregard their peers' performance in
more » ... aneous networks, while males are influenced by peers in both networks. Females may perceive the environment in simultaneous networks as being more competitive than in sequential networks. Abstract We investigate whether peer effects at work differ by gender and whether gender differences in peer effects -if any-depend on work organization. We develop a social network model with gender heterogeneity that we test in a real-effort laboratory experiment. We compare sequential networks in which information flows from peers to the worker and simultaneous networks where it disseminates bi-directionally. We identify strong gender differences as females disregard their peers' performance in simultaneous networks, while males are influenced by peers in both networks. Females may perceive the environment in simultaneous networks as being more competitive than in sequential networks.
doi:10.2139/ssrn.3175376 fatcat:qidg7lhhdfazvhazjzqzd5mwfu