| Abstract: |
We model the process of field specialization choice among beginning economists
within a multivariate logit framework that accommodates single and dual
primary field specializations and incorporates correlations among field
specialization choices. Conditioning on personal, economic, and institutional
variables reveals that women graduate students are less likely to specialize
in Labor/Health, Macro/Finance, Industrial Organization, Public Economics, and
Development/Growth/International and are more likely to specialize in
Agricultural/Resource/Environmental Economics. Field-specific gender faculty
ratios and expected relative salaries as well as economics department rankings
are significant factors for gender doctoral specialization dissimilarity.
Preferences and characteristics contribute about equally to field
specialization dissimilarity. |