Gender Differences in Preferences for Meaning at Work

Burbano, V, Padilla, N and Meier, S (2024) Gender Differences in Preferences for Meaning at Work. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 16 (3). pp. 61-94. ISSN 1945-7731

Abstract

Scholars have examined whether preferences for job characteristics help explain why men and women sort into different occupations but have overlooked preferences for meaning at work. We first document gender differences in preferences for meaning in a large-scale survey covering individuals in 47 countries. We then conduct a choice-based conjoint analysis of a cohort of MBA students at a leading business school to study gender differences in preferences for meaning compared to other job attributes. We show that gender differences in preferences for meaning at work are widespread and partly explain gender differences in behavioral outcomes, including industry of work.