Dissertation
The cognitive economics of virtual background bias in hiring: investigating the intersectionality of race, gender, and video conference backgrounds in hiring decisions
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.), Drexel University
Apr 2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010552
Abstract
This dissertation examines the cognitive economics of virtual background bias (VCBB) in the hiring process, focusing on the intersection of race, gender, and video conference backgrounds in remote interview settings. With the advent of remote work becoming a norm, particularly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the subtle dynamics of virtual backgrounds on hiring decisions has become crucial. The research employs a 2x2x4 experimental design to investigate the effects of various virtual backgrounds (clean, messy, fake, and blurred) on the assessment of job candidates, considering race and gender variables. Participants, acting in the role of hiring managers, evaluated candidates through video interviews set against these backgrounds, providing insights into how visual settings influence hiring preferences. The findings reveal that virtual backgrounds significantly impact hiring decisions, with clean, fake, and blurred backgrounds leading to more favorable evaluations. This indicates that the appearance of professionalism and minimal distraction in the background enhances the perceived suitability of candidates. The study also uncovers that virtual backgrounds interact with the perceived race and gender of candidates, affecting hiring decisions in nuanced ways. For example, it was found that black candidates were often rated more favorably across different backgrounds, suggesting that virtual settings may alter or even counteract conventional biases. The dissertation contributes to the literature on non-verbal communication and hiring practices by providing empirical evidence on the role of virtual backgrounds in shaping hiring outcomes. It emphasizes the need for organizations to consider the implications of VCBB in remote hiring processes to ensure fairness and efficiency. Recommendations for mitigating VCBB include standardizing virtual backgrounds in interviews, educating hiring managers about implicit biases, and adopting structured interview processes to minimize subjective bias. The study's limitations, such as its sample size and experimental design, highlight areas for future research, including examining VCBB's impact across a wider range of industries and demographic groups. In conclusion, this dissertation underscores the significance of virtual backgrounds in remote hiring decisions and offers a foundation for further research and practical applications aimed at fostering more equitable and effective hiring practices in the digital age.
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Details
- Title
- The cognitive economics of virtual background bias in hiring
- Creators
- Robert Jeffrey Fairbanks
- Contributors
- Lauren D'Innocenzo (Advisor)Mark Stehr (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xiv, 168 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Bennett S. LeBow College of Business; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021890312804721