We study when preferences for competition are a positive economic trait among high earners and the extent to which this trait can explain the gender gap in income among a master's degree in business administration (MBAs). Consistent with the experimental evidence, preferences for competition are a positive economic trait only for individuals who are not overconfident. Preferences for competition correlate with income only at graduation when bonuses are guaranteed and not a function of performance. Overconfident competition-loving MBAs observe lower compensation and income growth, and experience greater exit from high-reward industries and more frequent job interruptions. Preferences for competition do not explain the gender pay gap among MBAs.

中文翻译：

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过度自信和竞争偏好

我们研究竞争偏好何时成为高收入者的积极经济特征，以及该特征在多大程度上可以解释工商管理硕士学位 (MBA) 中的性别收入差距。与实验证据一致，竞争偏好仅对不太自信的个人来说是一种积极的经济特征。只有在奖金有保证的情况下，竞争偏好才与毕业时的收入相关，而不是绩效的函数。过度自信、热爱竞争的 MBA 的薪酬和收入增长较低，更多人从高回报行业退出，工作中断也更频繁。对竞争的偏好并不能解释 MBA 之间的性别薪酬差距。