Graduation Year
2026
Date of Defense
3-31-2026
Degree Name
Executive Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA)
Department
Charles F. Dolan School of Business
Document Type
Dissertation
First Advisor
Felix Fan
Abstract
Amid a broader shift to remote work, videoconferencing has become a standard platform for professional interactions, yet little is known about how videoconferencing backgrounds shape first impressions of colleagues. This dissertation examines how videoconferencing backgrounds influence perceptions of warmth and competence, two fundamental dimensions of social evaluation, among working professionals. Study 1 employed qualitative methods to explore working professionals’ background choices and revealed that many make intentional background selections to shape how they are perceived, often choosing neutral or blurred backgrounds to protect their privacy. Female professionals in particular report concealing personal items, especially those perceived as feminine, due to fear of gender bias. Although this phenomenon has not been directly tested in the context of videoconferencing, the insight aligns with prior research on gender and workplace bias. Building on this insight, Study 2 used experimental methods to test the impact of feminine-gendered objects in backgrounds on perceptions of female professionals’ warmth, competence and leadership effectiveness. Contrary to expectations, Study 2 found no significant effects, suggesting that other factors may be more influential in shaping virtual first impressions. Additionally, concerns about gender bias from the interviews may reflect anticipatory self-regulation strategies rather than actual bias, offering new insight into virtual impression management. This unexpected result raises important questions about which cues truly influence first impression formation in a virtual environment.