Mentoring and Diversity

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2000
Volume: 90
Issue: 4
Pages: 765-786

Authors (3)

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We study how diversity evolves at a firm with entry-level and upper-level employees who vary in ability and "type" (gender or ethnicity). The ability of entry-level employees is increased by mentoring. An employ receives more mentoring when more upper-level employees have the same type. Optimal promotions are biased by type, and this bias may favor either the minority or the majority. We characterize possible steady states, including a "glass ceiling," where the upper level remains less diverse than the entry level. A firm may have multiple steady states, whereby temporary affirmative-action policies have a long-run impact.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:90:y:2000:i:4:p:765-786
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24