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2009 JAN 3 - (VerticalNews.com) -- According to a study from Clayton, Australia, "Affirmative action has been a particularly contentious policy issue that has polarised contributions to the debate. Over recent times in most western countries, support for affirmative action has, however, been largely snuffed out or beaten into retreat and replaced by the concept of 'diversity management'."

"Thus, any contemporary study that examines the development of affirmative action would suggest that its opponents have won the battle. Nonetheless, this article argues that because the battle has been won on dubious ethical grounds it is important that we do not allow affirmative action to sink unnoticed. This article explores and challenges the ethical and philosophical underpinnings of opponents' views and finds their cases against affirmative action are not ethically sound," wrote P. Burns and colleagues, Monash University.

The researchers concluded: "The article concludes there are strong ethical grounds for those organisations which seek to do well, to reassert affirmative action programmes in the global efforts to eradicate systemic discrimination and disadvantage."

Burns and colleagues published the results of their research in the Journal of Business Ethics (The Ethical Case for Affirmative Action. Journal of Business Ethics, 2008;83(3):369-379).

For additional information, contact P. Burns, Monash University, Dept. of Management, Wellington Rd., Clayton, Vic 3800, Australia.

The publisher of the Journal of Business Ethics can be contacted at: Springer, Van Godewijckstraat 30, 3311 Gz Dordrecht, Netherlands.

Keywords: Australia, Clayton, Life Sciences, Business Ethics, Monash University.

This article was prepared by Economics & Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Economics & Business Week via VerticalNews.com.