Gender Promotion Gaps and Career Aspirations

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Azmat, Ghazala; Cunat, Vicente; Henry, Emeric
• 署名单位: Institut d'Etudes Politiques Paris (Sciences Po); University of London; London School Economics & Political Science; Centre for Economic Policy Research - UK
• 刊物名称: MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0025-1909
• DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.2023.00715
• 发表日期: 2025
• 关键词: gender gaps; promotion; high-skilled professionals

摘要

Using a representative survey of U.S. lawyers, we document a sizeable gender gap in early partnership aspirations, which explains half of the later gender promotion gap. We further document that the correlation between aspirations and effort provides a mechanical link between aspirations and promotion. Early workplace experiences, such as harassment and demeaning comments, are linked to promotion aspirations. Moreover, early aspirations provide insight into eventual promotion outcomes that goes beyond what can be drawn only from expectations. Our study highlights that measuring aspirations and adapting the corporate culture that shapes them are key components for firms to improve workplace environments.