Revisiting Reference Groups: Antecedents and Processes of Social Comparison and Peer Aspiration

Abstract

Reference groups are a central source of feedback and vicarious learning, and an important source of firm heterogeneity. Despite its importance, we have a limited understanding of reference groups and whom do organizations learn from. This symposium centers on the theme of reference groups, focusing on antecedents and processes of reference groups selection and social comparison by organizations. The symposium aims to extend existing research underscoring the importance of reference groups and provide directions for future research. Effect of Reputation on Reference Group Selection: Evidence from a Regression Discontinuity Approach Presenter: John Kim; U. of California, Irvine Evaluator search costs and gender differences in risk-taking in careers Presenter: Hyeun Lee; U. of Toronto Presenter: Anne Bowers; U. of Toronto Riders on the Storm: Individual Risk-Taking and Organizational Resource Disadvantages Presenter: Siddharth Sharma; Indian School of Business Presenter: Thomas P. Moliterno; Vrije U. Amsterdam