My Research
Introduction
Welcome to my research portfolio. My work is dedicated to understanding innovation in international contexts and within diverse teams, using the frameworks of institutional and experimental economics. I focus on the impact of formal and informal institutions on diverse research teams and their innovation outcomes. Additionally, I explore psychological factors influencing women’s innovative performance in teams and analyze racial biases in evaluations and hiring practices that affect firm performance.
Current Projects
I am currently involved in seven ongoing projects, with two under review at Organization Science and Strategic Management Journal. Two additional projects are being finalized for submission to the Academy of Management and Management Science Journal. These projects are supported by a proprietary dataset I developed, offering unique variables that serve as an empirical test bed for several upcoming studies. I am continually integrating the latest research methodologies into my work.
Dissertation Work
My dissertation examines the relationship between gender diversity and innovation from macro-institutional and micro-psychological perspectives.
Essay 1: Gender Diversity, Innovation, and Institutions
This chapter explores how formal and informal institutions influence the relationship between team gender diversity and innovation. I argue that gender diversity reveals an underlying social cognitive diversity that enhances innovation performance. However, this relationship varies across societies due to differing norms and regulations. Using USPTO data and a novel measure of institutional context developed through text analysis of over 40,000 news articles from 23 countries, I found that gender diversity positively affects innovation quality, but this effect is moderated by gender-egalitarian institutions. This paper, under review at Organization Science, was nominated for the Best Paper at AOM 2021 and won first place in the Ohio State University Hayes Forum in 2021.
Essay 2: Gendered Effect of Evaluation on Creativity
This chapter explores how organizational evaluations influence men’s and women’s creativity differently. Contrary to the well-documented liabilities women face in evaluative contexts, I propose the concept of Evaluation Resilience, where women, when evaluated, become more determined and creative. Three experiments reveal that this determination can lead to more creative ideas among women. This research is being finalized for submission to the Management Science Journal.
Essay 3: Shaping Innovation: Gender Specialization and Institutional Influence
The final chapter investigates how institutions shape the type of innovations male and female inventors focus on, examining innovation specialization and gender dynamics. Using USPTO patent data and a novel gender egalitarianism measure, this research aims to understand how social and institutional factors shape innovation trajectories. This chapter will be submitted to the Strategic Management Journal by November 2024.
Other Work
Building on my dissertation, I explore the intersection of diversity, performance, and strategic management across various contexts.
Racial Biases in Performance and Hiring Evaluations
In collaboration with Dr. Tanya Menon and Dr. Jason Sigler, we examine racial biases in sports scouting evaluations. Our proprietary dataset reveals that white players are evaluated more on skills and talents, while racial minorities are judged on physical attributes. This study is in the writing phase and will be submitted to Administrative Science Quarterly by November 2024.
Strategic Factor Markets and Firm Performance
Working with Dr. Jaideep Anand, Dr. Jason Sigler, and Dr. Tiberiu Ungureanu, we investigate how individual human resources drive superior performance under varying resource and market uncertainties. This study is being under first round review at the Academy of Management Journal. (read the working paper here)
Leadership Styles and Employee Performance
With Dr. Jason Sigler and Dr. Kaifeng Jiang, I explore how leadership characteristics affect employee turnover and performance, particularly focusing on star employees. This paper is under review at the Strategic Management Journal. (read the working paper here)
Research Methods and Datasets
My methodological expertise includes panel data econometrics, laboratory experiments, and advanced text analysis using AI and machine learning. I have developed a comprehensive dataset to investigate racial biases in baseball scouting reports, supported by over $60,000 in grant funding. Additionally, I created a database from a semi-automated analysis of 40,000 newspaper articles, producing a time-variant gender egalitarianism measure.
Conclusion
My research delves into the dynamics of innovation within diverse and international contexts, focusing on how institutions and psychological factors influence gender-diverse teams and innovation outcomes. Through my dissertation and other projects, I aim to provide actionable insights for fostering inclusive and high-performing innovation environments.
Zeynep Yavic, PhD Candidate
The Ohio State University
Feel free to contact me for more information or collaboration opportunities.