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Sex and salary: Does size matter? (A survey of supply chain managers)

Paul D. Larson (Department of Supply Chain Management, Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada)
Matthew Morris (Department of Supply Chain Management, Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada)

Supply Chain Management

ISSN: 1359-8546

Article publication date: 3 June 2014

3059

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to develop and test hypotheses on determinants of supply chain managers’ salaries. While women make up about half the workforce, there is evidence in the trade press that they receive far less than half of the compensation. Sex of the manager and size of his or her organization are among the predictors of salary.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses are tested using regression analysis of data from a survey of supply chain managers in Canada. This technique enables testing for a gender effect, while controlling for the effects of other factors.

Findings

Seven variables are found to be significant predictors of supply chain manager salaries. Smaller companies pay lower salaries. Small business supply chain/logistics managers working longer hours with a professional designation, more experience, greater budgetary responsibility and greater share of compensation coming as a bonus earn higher salaries. Finally, male small business supply chain managers earn more than their female counterparts.

Research limitations/implications

The piece includes a discussion of limitations and future research opportunities into the gender salary gap.

Practical implications

There are implications for small businesses wanting to hire supply chain managers, and for female (and male) managers looking for work.

Social implications

This paper presents evidence of possible gender discrimination against half the population. The potential social implications are tremendous.

Originality/value

This is a unique piece of research in testing theory-driven hypotheses about supply chain salaries, especially by including gender and organizational size as predictors.

Keywords

Citation

D. Larson, P. and Morris, M. (2014), "Sex and salary: Does size matter? (A survey of supply chain managers)", Supply Chain Management, Vol. 19 No. 4, pp. 385-394. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-08-2013-0268

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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