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The effects of affirmative action on the female beneficiary
Author(s) -
TaylorCarter Mary Anne,
Doverspike Dennis,
Cook Kelli D.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
human resource development quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1532-1096
pISSN - 1044-8004
DOI - 10.1002/hrdq.3920070106
Subject(s) - beneficiary , affirmative action , action (physics) , perception , public relations , political science , business , public economics , psychology , economics , law , physics , quantum mechanics , neuroscience
Attention is often focused on the economic and legal aspects of affirmative action rather than the policy's impact on its beneficiaries. The purpose of this article is to integrate the research findings on the effects of preferential treatment on women in organizations and to suggest solutions for some of the problems identified. First, the article explores the impact of preferential treatment on other people's perceptions of the female beneficiary and on the way the beneficiary views herself and the employing organization. Next, strategies for providing a supportive organizational environment for affirmative action beneficiaries are presented. The benefits that may result from implementing these strategies are also discussed.