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Men and women respond to work incentives in very different ways

Published: 18 February 2026

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reviews hundreds of thousands of applications each year, making efficiency a challenge. When managers introduced cash incentives for meeting quotas, men and women reacted differently. Men tended to increase their output to secure the bonus, but the quality of their reviews declined. Women, by contrast, often prioritized maintaining high-quality work, even if it meant missing out on the financial reward.

“These differences aren’t about talent or ambition,” says Roman V. Galperin, Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour at 鶹ýվ Desautels. “They reflect social and cultural expectations—women often face harsher penalties for mistakes—making them less likely to sacrifice quality for speed.” 

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