Leaning in or Not Leaning Out? Opt-Out Choice Framing Attenuates Gender Differences in the Decision to Compete

35 Pages Posted: 27 Nov 2019 Last revised: 14 May 2023

See all articles by Joyce He

Joyce He

University of Toronto

Sonia K. Kang

University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management

Nicola Lacetera

University of Toronto - Strategic Management; University of Toronto at Mississauga - Department of Management; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: November 2019

Abstract

In most organizations, promotions often require self-nomination and competition among applicants. However, research on gender differences in preferences for competition suggests that this process might result in fewer women choosing to participate. We study whether changing promotion schemes from a default where applicants must opt in (i.e., self-nominate) to a default where applicants must opt out (i.e., they are automatically considered for promotion, but can choose not to be considered) attenuates gender differences. In our first experiment, although women are less likely than men to choose competitive environments under the traditional opt-in framing, in the opt-out system both women and men have the same participation rate as men in the opt-in system. The increase in participation of women into competition is not associated with negative consequences on performance or well-being. In our second experiment, we show that opt-out framing does not entail penalties from evaluators making decisions about whom to hire. These results support the promise of choice architecture to reduce disparities in organizations. More generally, our findings suggest that gender differences in attitudes toward completion may be context-dependent.

Suggested Citation

He, Joyce and Kang, Sonia K. and Lacetera, Nicola, Leaning in or Not Leaning Out? Opt-Out Choice Framing Attenuates Gender Differences in the Decision to Compete (November 2019). NBER Working Paper No. w26484, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3492887

Joyce He (Contact Author)

University of Toronto ( email )

105 St George Street
Toronto, M5S 3G8
Canada

Sonia K. Kang

University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management ( email )

105 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E6 M5S1S4
Canada

Nicola Lacetera

University of Toronto - Strategic Management ( email )

Canada

University of Toronto at Mississauga - Department of Management

Canada

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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