From Words To Walls: Deciphering Cultural Impact On Gender Bias In Job Descriptions

Authors:

Abstract: This study examines the role of the recruitment process in perpetuating gender disparities, focusing on societal culture's impact on the "lack of fit" model in job descriptions. Predominantly Western-based research often neglects cultural variations, potentially leading to ineffective diversity strategies. To bridge this gap, we analyzed 76,306 job descriptions from 65 countries across five occupational levels (entry, associate, mid-senior, director, executive) on LinkedIn. Our analysis indicates a negative association between occupational status and communal-vs.-agentic wording in job ads. Significantly, societal individualism negatively moderated this relationship. Specifically, at higher levels (executive/director), societal individualism negatively predicted communal-vs.-agentic wording, while at lower levels (entry to mid-senior), the association was positive. These findings highlight intricate role of culture in shaping gender inequalities in the labor market, underscoring the importance of integrating cultural nuances into gender equality strategies. We call for the imperative of culturally sensitive approaches in organizational practices to effectively address gender disparities.

Track: DEI

Keywords: Gender, Culture, Occupational Status, Job Advertisement, Lack of Fit, AI