Falling Flat: The Limits of Networking for Women in Music

• In Event: 50220 - Section on Organizations, Occupations, and Work Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 5: Collaborations and Networks

Abstract

This study investigates how social network structures within the music industry differentially impact the career trajectories of men and women. Drawing on the foundational network theories (Burt 1992; 1997, Granovetter 1977), we explore how gendered patterns are illuminated within this unique project-based work setting, where networking is not merely beneficial but essential for career sustainability and advancement. Specifically. the analysis aims to understand how different types of ties can influence each cultural worker’s career differently, amid the well-documented advantages of networks for accessing various opportunities. Our research, grounded in data from the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 songs (2017-2021), reveals significant underrepresentation of women and highlights the challenges they face in leveraging networks in the male-dominated music industry. Preliminary findings indicate disparities in the efficacy of cohesive and strong ties, a factor believed to boost career success, which does not extend equally to women. This points to possible systemic barriers that hinder women's effective utilization of their networks, underscoring the need for a deeper understanding of the structural impediments to gender equality within professional settings. By integrating these insights with empirical analysis, this study contributes to the broader sociological discourse on networking, gender, and career dynamics in contemporary cultural industries.

Author

• Seokyoung Kim, Cornell University