Affirmative Action: A Comparison between South Africa and the United States

Jaarsveld, Van

doi:10.1108/03090550010770201

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Scholars have recently referred to this phenomenon as 'equity fatigue'-people being impatience with a continued focus on equity (Ahmed 2007) or perhaps more apt in this case is 'apartheid fatigue'-tired of being reminded of the social injustices of apartheid. There was little acceptance of the need for a group justice model or viewing equality as social justice-redressing the consequences of past racial discrimination (Tomei 2003;van Jaarsveld 2000). It would appear that dominant group employees in the organisations were unable or unwilling to recognise the continued effects of racial segregation in organisations.…”

Section: Obstacles To Embracing the Spirit Of The Lawmentioning

confidence: 99%

Moving from the letter of the law to the spirit of the law: the challenges of realising the intent of employment equity and affirmative action

Nkomo¹

2011

trn

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The letter of the law versus the spirit of the law is an idiomatic antithesis which suggests that in interpreting a law there are two choices. One can approach a law literally or one can instead focus on its intent. The relevance of this idiomatic opposition to the Employment Equity Act and its provision for affirmative action is interrogated through the presentation of two case studies demonstrating the obstacles to fully embracing equity and valuing the diversity of South African society.

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Section: Obstacles To Embracing the Spirit Of The Lawmentioning

confidence: 99%

Moving from the letter of the law to the spirit of the law: the challenges of realising the intent of employment equity and affirmative action

Nkomo¹

2011

trn

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“…South African adolescents need to explore their sense of self in a context characterized by social, political, and economic changes (Kamper & Badenhorst, 2010). Despite the redress of inequalities that has taken place since South Africa became a democracy in 1994, the consequences of apartheid continue to affect South Africans (Durrheim, 2003; Van Jaarsveld, 2000). Social problems such as crime, poverty, misconduct, and HIV/AIDS affect South African adolescents’ frame of reference, sense of self, future prospects, and expectations (Everatt, 2000; Ferns & Thom, 2001; Gaganakis, 2004).…”

Section: Chronosystemic Elements and Adolescent Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responsibility in the Face of Adversity

Arndt

Naudé

2017

Youth & Society

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The aim of this study was to explore Black South African adolescents’ sense of self as it emerges through their direct and indirect environments. Black African adolescents ( N = 57; 52.63% male; 47.37% female) participated in eight focus groups, which were analyzed thematically. The emphasis fell on the interconnectedness and interdependency between individuals and social systems. The importance of family and peer relations, as well as the juxtaposed needs of belonging and separation, was also reiterated. This research highlighted adolescents’ awareness regarding the importance of reciprocity and interdependence in relationships. Not only was the need for having role models articulated, but also for being role models. They were acutely aware of the sacrifices made (especially by their parents) investing in their development, and were feeling responsible for “paying back” (to their family and community). Due to bearing this responsibility, education and scholarship were viewed as essential aspects of adolescents’ sense of self.

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“…In South Africa, no other issue has raised as many concerns about justice as AA (Van Jaarsveld, 2000). For many years, AA has been a battleground for competing values, especially regarding competing concepts of distributive justice.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For many years, AA has been a battleground for competing values, especially regarding competing concepts of distributive justice. In the USA, after 20 or more years of AA, the government has finally admitted that the process has failed (Van Jaarsveld, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…AA is meant to ensure macro justice (justice between groups), but resistance frequently arises because of concerns about micro justice (justice for individuals) (Clayton & Tangri, 1989). The accusations most frequently levelled at AA are that AA is a form of reverse discrimination (Thomas, 2002); that AA appointees are less competent than some other applicants and lack the necessary skills, and that they are appointed to fill quotas or to window-dress (Van Jaarsveld, 2000); that AA implies inferiority and that it stigmatizes its beneficiaries (Resendez, 2002); and that AA decisions are based on preferential treatment rather than on merit (Elkins, Bozeman & Phillips, 2003). Swim and Miller (1996) also claim that AA can be read as retribution against White people.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Perceptions of the dimensions of the fairness of affirmative action: A pilot study

Vermeulen¹,

Coetzee

2006

SAJBM

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The purpose of this study was to identify the dimensions of affirmative action (AA) fairness in order to develop a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess employees’ perceptions of the fairness of AA decisions and practices, and to explore the relationship between employees’ biographical characteristics and their perceptions of the dimensions of AA fairness. The research sample consisted of 349 participants connected to a large financial institution in South Africa. Principal axis factor analysis with a varimax rotation was performed on the data in order to uncover the different factors that employees perceived to be important for the fair and just management of affirmative action practices. Four factors define AA fairness: namely interactional, procedural (input), procedural (criteria) and distributive justice. One-way MANOVAs and associated ANOVAs revealed that the importance of the justice factors in AA fairness differed significantly across ethnicity and staff category. This study enables a better understanding of the dimensionality of AA fairness. It should ultimately contribute to more effective management of AA in the workplace.

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Affirmative Action: A Comparison between South Africa and the United States

Cited by 7 publications

References 11 publications

Moving from the letter of the law to the spirit of the law: the challenges of realising the intent of employment equity and affirmative action

Moving from the letter of the law to the spirit of the law: the challenges of realising the intent of employment equity and affirmative action

Responsibility in the Face of Adversity

Perceptions of the dimensions of the fairness of affirmative action: A pilot study

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