Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/130296 
Year of Publication: 
2015
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 9612
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
The underrepresentation of women at the top of hierarchies is often explained by gender differences in preferences. We find support for this claim by analyzing a large dataset from an online card game community, a stylized yet natural setting characterized by self-selection into an uncertain, competitive and male-dominated environment. We observe gender differences in playing behavior consistent with women being more averse towards risk and competition. Moreover, we demonstrate how "shying away" makes female players less successful: despite no gender gap in playing skills, women accumulate lower scores than men due to their relative avoidance of risky and competitive situations.
Subjects: 
gender
preferences
risk
competition
performance
JEL: 
D03
J24
M52
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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