CRIS Scientific Seminar 2023-2024

Friday, October 13th 2023, 11:30 am
Sciences Po, Room K008 (1 St-Thomas)

Why are there so few female executives? Evidence from the equality frontier

Øyvind Skorge
Associate Professor of Political Science at Oslo New University College
Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Social Research (ISF)
(co-author Sigtona Halrynjo, ISF)

In top executive business positions, women are rare—also in countries otherwise characterized by gender egalitarian norms and high inclusion of women in work and politics. To address this puzzle, we build on the nascent literature on overwork and assortative mating to argue that since women professionals are more likely than their male counterparts to have equally ambitious partners, they have less flexibility at home to take on leadership positions requiring long hours and constant availability.

Using unique survey, experimental, and qualitative interview data of employees and executives in ten large Norwegian enterprises, we examine the argument against other influential explanations, including implicit gender/motherhood bias, personal ambitions, and inclusion experiences.

Norway is consistently ranked among the most gender-equal countries globally, yet women's representation in top executive positions remains modest. We find no evidence of implicit bias or gender differences in stated career ambitions, negotiations for position or pay, or being heard at work. Instead, the study shows that availability for clients and colleagues beyond regular working hours is a crucial predictor of suitability for executive positions. We document that the conditions to meet these demands are skewed against women, and particularly mothers, due to demands at home.
Our findings imply that as long as career success remains dependent on 24/7 availability during childrearing years, women will remain underrepresented among top executives.

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