Effects of team diversity on individual performance and voice: a field experiment of group composition by gender and language

Contreras Silva, Valentina ORCID: 0000-0001-6188-7096, Orsini, Chiara, Özcan, Berkay ORCID: 0000-0003-2255-9406 and Koehler, Johann ORCID: 0000-0002-1305-891X (2025) Effects of team diversity on individual performance and voice: a field experiment of group composition by gender and language. Labour Economics. ISSN 0927-5371 (In Press)

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Abstract

We present results from a field experiment that tests the effects of varying gender and linguistic group composition on performance and on group-members’ perception that their voice is heard when completing complex collaborative work within a low scrutiny environment. We randomize individuals enrolled in a postgraduate course populated by mostly women and non-native English speakers into small teams within larger, exogenously assigned seminar groups. Groups are tasked with complex and deliberative research assignments over three months. Using administrative and survey data, we find that a higher share of women in seminar groups significantly benefits the academic performance of group members—an effect driven by a positive effect on female native English speakers — while a greater proportion of women in small teams improves non-native language speakers’ perception of being heard.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2025 The Author(s)
Divisions:	Social Policy
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Date Deposited:	11 Jul 2025 15:15
Last Modified:	01 Aug 2025 07:24
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/128788

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