Submission 167
How Competition And Gender Composition Shape Creative Innovation Processes
PS6-G07-01
Presented by: Svenja Friess
Women participate less in innovative activities than men, raising concerns about untapped
inventive potential. Does the often competitive and male-dominated nature of innovative environments discourage women from innovating? I study this question through an online field experiment with over 1,000 white-collar professionals in the US. By exogenously varying both incentives and
the gender composition of competitors, this study examines how these factors influence potential gender gaps in creative ideation and idea selection, which are critical stages at the onset of innovation processes. Findings show that women outperform men in creative ideation, even in
competitive environments. However, women select lower-quality ideas when gender is revealed, while men excel in gender-balanced competitions. Gender differences in changes in overconfidence and perceptions of group competitiveness depending on distinct competitor compositions mediate
these effects. By applying these insights, organizations may foster environments that support both - men and women - in maximizing their creative potential and driving innovation.
inventive potential. Does the often competitive and male-dominated nature of innovative environments discourage women from innovating? I study this question through an online field experiment with over 1,000 white-collar professionals in the US. By exogenously varying both incentives and
the gender composition of competitors, this study examines how these factors influence potential gender gaps in creative ideation and idea selection, which are critical stages at the onset of innovation processes. Findings show that women outperform men in creative ideation, even in
competitive environments. However, women select lower-quality ideas when gender is revealed, while men excel in gender-balanced competitions. Gender differences in changes in overconfidence and perceptions of group competitiveness depending on distinct competitor compositions mediate
these effects. By applying these insights, organizations may foster environments that support both - men and women - in maximizing their creative potential and driving innovation.