15
as a probationary stage during which they can observe individual performance (Loh 1994; Wang
and Weiss 1998; Booth et al. 2002). In this case, productivity evaluation is less important because
expiry of the contract eliminates the error of assessment by not renewing the contract. Therefore,
the estimate of productivity is less accurate and more superficial, and leaves room for the
stereotype.
Tab. 8 - Gender pay gap between employees hired under fixed term contracts and permanent
contracts
|
Explained pay gap |
Unexplained pay gap |
Raw pay gap % | |
|
Permanent contracts |
33,06 |
66,94 |
12,70 |
|
Fixed term contracts |
19,24 |
80,76 |
7,18 |
In our data (Tab. 8), the unexplained component of the gender pay gap is greater among employees
hired under fixed term contracts than it is among employees hired under permanent wage contracts.
5.3 - Context in which managers must use objective evaluation criteria and structured
evaluation procedures, and must justify their decisions (open competition - concorsi )
The stereotyping literature indicates that ambiguity in human resource practices can create the
conditions for gender stereotypes to flourish (Welle and Heilman 2007). Open competitions may be
a good device to resolve this ambiguity and detect personal characteristics and abilities beyond what
signalled by the attained level of education.
Heilman (2001) and Heilman and Okimoto (2008) suggest that ambiguity in evaluative criteria and
a lack of structure in the evaluation process are two factors that affect devaluation of women's work.
Therefore, in environments where the judgment criteria are more specific, and the assessment
procedure is more structured, the information can not easily be distorted to fit the stereotypes.
Tetlock and Kim (1987) find that people show more complexity and greater accuracy in
productivity assessments when they anticipate having to justify their ratings. Dobbs and Crano
(2001) show that individuals who have to justify their decisions have a stronger incentive to bypass
their stereotyped impressions than those who do not have to make justifications. When