Sex differences in mathematical performance have frequently been examined over the last decades indicating an advantage for males especially when numerical problems cannot be solved by (classroom-)learnt strategies and/or estimation. Even in basic numerical tasks such as number line estimation, males were found to outperform females - with sex differences argued to emerge from different solution strategies applied by males and females. We evaluated the latter by using two versions of the number line estimation task: a bounded and an unbounded task version. Assuming that women tend more strongly to apply known procedures we expected them to be at a particular disadvantage in the unbounded number line estimation task which is less prone to be solved by specific strategies such as proportion judgement but requires numerical estimation. Results confirmed more pronounced sex differences for unbounded number line estimation with males performing significantly more accurately in this task version. This further adds to recent evidence suggesting that estimation performance in the bounded task version may reflect solution strategies rather than numerical estimation. Additionally, it indicates that sex differences regarding the spatial representation of number magnitude may not be universal, but associated need for spatial-numerical estimations in particular.
For bounded number line estimation recent studies indicated influences of proportion-based strategies as documented by eye-tracking data. In the current study, we investigated solution strategies in bounded and unbounded number line estimation by directly comparing participants' estimation performance as well as their corresponding eye-fixation behaviour. For bounded number line estimation increased numbers of fixations at and around reference points (i.e., start-, middle, and endpoint) confirmed the prominent use of proportion-based strategies. In contrast, in unbounded number line estimation the number of fixations on the number line decreased continuously of with increasing magnitude of the target number. Additionally, we observed that in bounded and unbounded number line estimation participants' first fixation on the number line was a valid predictor of the location of the target number. In sum, these data corroborate the idea that unbounded number line estimation is not influenced by proportion-based estimation strategies not directly related to numerical estimations.
Background: The unbounded number line estimation task (with only the start point and a unit but no endpoint given) has been claimed to provide a purer measure of numerical estimation than the standard bounded version of the task (with given start and endpoint). For the latter, recent studies found influences of solution strategies on performance, for instance, proportional judgments- as documented amongst others by eye-tracking data.
Aims and Method: In the current study, we evaluated these different solution strategies by directly comparing participants' estimation performance as well as their corresponding eye-fixation behavior in bounded and unbounded number line estimation in the range of 0 to 50.
Results: In line with previous studies, we found evidence suggesting bounded number line estimation to be solved by proportion-based strategies: participants' eye-fixation behavior indicated the prominent use of reference points with increased numbers of fixations at and around these (i.e., start-, mid- and endpoint). This was different for unbounded number line estimation. Here, the fixation pattern did not indicate the use of reference points but showed a continuous decline of the number of fixations along the number line with increasing number size. Additionally, we observed that in unbounded number line estimation participants' first fixation on the number line was a valid predictor of the location of the target number.
Conclusion: In sum, these data corroborate the idea that unbounded number line estimation is influenced less by propositional strategies not directly related to spatial-numerical estimations as compared to its bounded counterpart.
Sex differences in mathematical performance have frequently been examined over the last decades indicating an advantage for males in many domains especially when numerical problems cannot be solved by (classroom-)learnt strategies and/or estimation. Even in basic numerical tasks such as number line estimation, males were recently found to outperform females (Bull et al., 2013) - with sex differenced argued to emerge from different solution strategies applied. To better understand the processes underlying sex differences regarding the spatial representation of number magnitude we used two versions of the number line estimation task, which are assumed to be solved by different strategies: a bounded version with start and endpoint as well as an unbounded version with only the start point and a predefined unit given. Assuming that women tend more strongly to apply known procedures we expected them to be at a particular disadvantage in the unbounded number line estimation task which is less prone to be solved by specific strategies such as proportion judgement but requires more pure numerical estimation. In line with our expectations results indicated more pronounced sex differences for unbounded number line estimation indicating that males performed reliably more accurately than females in this task version. This further adds to recent evidence suggesting that estimation performance in the bounded task version may reflect solution strategies rather than numerical estimation. Additionally, it indicates that gender differences regarding the spatial representation of number magnitude may not be universal, but associated with the solution strategies applied.
In this study, we examine the relationship between the proportion of women in top management positions at banks and these institutions’ financial performance. Using prudential data from supervisory reporting for all credit institutions in the Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg from 1999 to 2013, we find a positive association between female management and firm performance. The economic effect is substantial: a 10% increase in women in top management positions improves the bank’s future return on equity by more than 3% p.a. Moreover, we show that this positive relationship is (i) almost twice as large during the global financial crisis than in stable market conditions and (ii) non-linear, with banks having 20–40% female management being the most successful.
Zunehmende Komplexität kennzeichnet einen überwiegenden Teil der Aufgabenstellungen unserer internationalen Arbeitswelt. Um diese zu meistern, stellt personelle Vielfalt im Unternehmen eine entscheidende strategische Ressource dar. Damit aus kultureller Diversität allerdings ein Wettbewerbsvorteil entsteht, muss sie richtig genutzt werden - dieses Ziel verfolgt das sogenannte "Managing Cultural Diversity". Führungskräfte werden dadurch mit einer enormen Herausforderung konfrontiert. Um das Management von Vielfalt zu verbessern, entwickelten Prof. Dr. Hilb und Dr. Jent das "Diversity Optima Konzept". In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird insbesondere die kulturelle Komponente des Konzepts analysiert und konkretisiert, sowie eine Anleitung zur praktischen Anwendung zum Management multikultureller Arbeitspartnerschaften entwickelt. Im Diskurs mit Führungskräften internationaler Unternehmensberatungen werden die Ergebnisse des konzeptionellen Teils geprüft. Dieses Buch zeigt, wie kulturelle Vielfalt ideal genutzt werden kann, um die Zusammenarbeit von Arbeitspartnerschaften zu optimieren und die Ergebnisqualität zu steigern
In this chapter, we explore the temporal nature of conflict and trust in teams. Although researchers have acknowledged the dynamic nature of team processes and team interpersonal relationships, empirical research on these topics has typically used cross-sectional designs. Using a longitudinal approach with six measurement points over a period of ten months, we collected data on conflict and trust in 41 organizational teams. Our results show that more than half of the teams entered a negative spiral of increasing conflict and decreasing trust. An expected positive spiral with increased trust and decreased conflict was not found: the other half of the teams showed a stable pattern of high trust and low conflict over time. Teams in the negative spiral were less effective than teams with the stable pattern.
