Improving Workplace Climate in Male-Dominated Workplaces

Last registered on June 25, 2024
View Trial History

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Improving Workplace Climate in Male-Dominated Workplaces
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0013742
Initial registration date
June 19, 2024

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
June 25, 2024, 10:47 AM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

Country
Sweden
Region

Primary Investigator

Name
Johanna Rickne
Affiliation
Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Olof Folke
PI Affiliation
Contact Investigator

Additional Trial Information

Status
In development
Start date
2024-06-10
End date
2025-12-31
Keywords
Behavior, Gender, Labor
Additional Keywords
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
Active bystander behavior can potentially reduce unwanted interpersonal behaviors in the workplace. This study tests if a bystander training program improves workplace climate. The evaluation sample consists of male-dominated workplaces in Sweden.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Folke, Olof and Johanna Rickne. 2024. "Improving Workplace Climate in Male-Dominated Workplaces." AEA RCT Registry. June 25. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.13742-1.0
Sponsors & Partners

There is information in this trial unavailable to the public. Use the button below to request access.

Request Information
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
The intervention consists of two 2.5-hour in-person training sessions. These sessions use interactive training methods. They provide training in how to be an active bystander when witnessing unwelcome behaviors directed at co-workers. Participants role-play scenarios where they take the roles of victim, perpetrator, or bystander, and where these actors have different genders and ages. This bystander training is accompanied by discussions of jargon and masculinity culture in the workplace, and how such cultures may prevent people from being themselves at work.
Intervention (Hidden)
Intervention Start Date
2024-06-24
Intervention End Date
2025-11-30

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
1. Tolerance for unwelcome behavior in the workplace
2. Attitudes toward gender equality in the workplace
3. Sexism and prejudice against women
4. Attitudes toward active bystander behaviors
5. Perceived attitudes in the work team toward active bystander behaviors
Primary Outcomes (explanation)
Survey questions that capture each outcome will be will be combined into index variables and transformed to standard deviations.

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
6. Exposure to unwanted behavior from team members in the workplace
7. Observed bystander behavior
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)
Survey questions that capture each outcome will be will be combined into an index and transformed to standard deviations.

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
The training is conducted within teams in workplaces in male-dominated industries.
Experimental Design Details
The experiment randomizes teams within workplaces to either treatment or control. Criteria for recruitment of a workplace are that the firm is male-dominated (>50% men) and has at least two work units with approximately 15—30 employees whose daily physical work environments are separated from each other. Such physical separation could exist between offices in different cities, or work units that continually work on different construction sites due to performing different tasks.

Work units within the firm are grouped into pairs based on size, gender composition, and a crude categorization of jobs and tasks (for example bricklaying or painting). One unit in each pair is randomized to the treatment group and the other to the control group.

Work units that do not initially receive the training may be invited to do so at a later time point and may be analyzed together with the first treatment wave. The statistical methods will be adjusted accordingly.

Randomization Method
Randomization done in office by a computer
Randomization Unit
Work units, i.e., teams of workers within the same firm
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
100-120
Sample size: planned number of observations
2000
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
Split evenly into one treatment arm and a control arm.
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
See the attached pre-analysis plan document
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
Swedish Ethical Review Authority
IRB Approval Date
2024-05-28
IRB Approval Number
Dnr 2024-03127-01
Analysis Plan

There is information in this trial unavailable to the public. Use the button below to request access.

Request Information

Post-Trial

Post Trial Information

Study Withdrawal

There is information in this trial unavailable to the public. Use the button below to request access.

Request Information

Intervention

Is the intervention completed?
No
Data Collection Complete
Data Publication

Data Publication

Is public data available?
No

Program Files

Program Files
Reports, Papers & Other Materials

Relevant Paper(s)

Reports & Other Materials