Job Queues and the Gender Composition of Jobs in High Tech

• In Event: 269 - Regular Session. Labor Market

Abstract

Job sex segregation across jobs is widespread, and numerous studies have appeared investigating the determinants of sex segregation. However, scholars disagree on how the gender composition of jobs is related to females’ observed disadvantages in the labor market. Theories of gendered organizations (Acker and Williams) have argued that females are disadvantaged across all jobs regardless of gender composition, while other theories suggest the focus of female disadvantage is more localized. Kanter suggests disadvantages associated with token status, while “glass escalator” theory (Williams) suggests that male tokens reap benefits from their minority status. Others argue that females’ disadvantages are contingent on the sex typing of the job. Unique among papers in this area, we examine the relationship gender composition and female disadvantage or advantage in the screening process across 12 software firms. Consistent with sex typing theories, we find that employers disadvantage females when screening for positions in which they are the clear minority, but that females are advantaged for positions in which they are the majority, as well as jobs that are moderately male dominated.

Authors

• Roberto M. Fernandez, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Santiago Campero, Massachusetts Institute of Technology