Paper Type
Complete
Abstract
In our study, we explore how gender discrimination based on provider’s name plays out in the Digital Sharing Economy, with Airbnb as our focus. Using natural language processing and deep learning, we filter through host bios and discover evidence of gender bias. We contribute to the literature by empirically finding and validating the bias mitigating mechanism of a simple yet important factor i.e., greetings in service providers' bios. Additionally, utilizing a two-stage regression, we demonstrate the importance of trust in boosting a host's business. Our research not only confirms what many have suspected about gender discrimination in this space but also suggests hands-on ways to mitigate it. This research is not just about adding to academic debates; it's about giving fundamental tools to those designing and hosting on platforms like Airbnb to make them fairer for everyone.
Paper Number
1731
Recommended Citation
Rahman, Samira; Rahman, Md Jabir; and Beldona, Sri, "Warm Words, Unequal Opportunities!" (2024). AMCIS 2024 Proceedings. 18.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2024/dsa/dsa/18
Warm Words, Unequal Opportunities!
In our study, we explore how gender discrimination based on provider’s name plays out in the Digital Sharing Economy, with Airbnb as our focus. Using natural language processing and deep learning, we filter through host bios and discover evidence of gender bias. We contribute to the literature by empirically finding and validating the bias mitigating mechanism of a simple yet important factor i.e., greetings in service providers' bios. Additionally, utilizing a two-stage regression, we demonstrate the importance of trust in boosting a host's business. Our research not only confirms what many have suspected about gender discrimination in this space but also suggests hands-on ways to mitigate it. This research is not just about adding to academic debates; it's about giving fundamental tools to those designing and hosting on platforms like Airbnb to make them fairer for everyone.
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