ISM supports equal gender compensation and opportunity worldwide

(Tempe, Ariz.) September 16, 2008 — Inequality, not based upon performance, still exists among certain groups of diverse individuals within the supply management profession. To that end, the world's leading supply management organization, Institute for Supply Management(TM) (ISM), has released an official Position Statement asserting that all equally-qualified professionals performing at a similar level should be given equal compensation and opportunity in the workplace without discrimination based on age, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion or sexual orientation.

In addition to compensation studies in several countries that reveal similar inequalities, ISM's own surveys confirm that a gender gap remains. One startling difference has been the difference in pay between men and women based on years of work experience. ISM's 2007 Salary Survey reported that the average salary for the male supply management professional with 11 to 20 years of experience was $99,854, while his female counterpart earned an average of $69,588. One year later, this gap narrowed only slightly according to responses to ISM's 2008 Salary Survey (males with 11 to 20 years of experience earned $103,908, while females earned $82,813).

"Gender should not be a factor at all,” says ISM CEO Paul Novak, C.P.M., A.P.P. "The profound transformations that have taken hold in this profession must also include equal opportunities for all on a global scale.”

ISM's Position Statements are drafted at the staff and committee level, and then brought to the ISM Board of Directors for final approval. All ISM Position Statements can be found online at www.ism.ws. Select About ISM, then Media Room. (Quick Search: QS130).

As the largest supply management institute in the world, the mission of Institute for Supply Management(TM) (ISM) is to lead supply management. By executing and extending its mission through education, research, standards of excellence, influence building and information dissemination — including the renowned monthly ISM Report On Business® — ISM continues to extend the global impact of supply management. ISM is proud to recognize professional excellence in supply management with awards such as the ISM R. Gene Richter Awards for Leadership and Innovation in Supply Management and the J. Shipman Gold Medal Award. ISM's membership base includes more than 40,000 supply management professionals in 75 countries. Supply management professionals are responsible for trillions of dollars in the purchases of products and services annually. ISM is a member of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM).