Can We Talk? An Exploratory Study of Gender and Network Ties in a Local Government Setting

Abstract

We explore the influence of gender and formal organizational status on the formation of discussion ties. Network data, gathered through surveying employees from a municipal organization in the United States, garnered a 92% response rate (n=143). Results of exponential random graph modeling indicate women supervisors are more likely to send discussion ties, while women in general are more likely to receive discussion ties. These exploratory results suggest women may be perceived as more approachable for work discussions, but not as supervisors. Finally, the results identified a consistent homophily effect of gender in the discussion network.