GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGERIAL RANKS: AN ASSESSMENT OF DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES

Abstract

This paper examines the extent to which gender discrimination is a force effecting the senior managerial ranks of the information systems (IS) occupation. While the employment trends of women in the IS occupation is encouraging, we present data which suggests that IS is not immune to the problems of gender discrimination. Analyzing data gathered by the Society for Information Management (SIM), we find several serious problems suggestive of discriminatory practices. First, a disproportionate majority of senior IS management is male. Second, women receive lower salaries than men even when controlling for age, education, job level and tenure within the organization.