Paper on Topic of Business Management Subject Essay

Paper on Topic of Business Management Subject - Essay Example I agree with Ivancevich who states that, â€Å"When an organization is really concerned about people, its total philosophy, culture, and orientation will reflect this belief† (2010, p. 4). Therefore, efficient management of human resources can ensure employee satisfaction and successful attainment of organizational goals. In this reflection paper, I have presented my understanding on the subject of human resource management and have applied this knowledge to my work and life experiences. Having worked in the army in a supervisory role for over twenty two years and currently working as a site manager for the linguistic program in Afghanistan, I have been able to include several examples to illustrate my perception on some of the functions of human resource management: Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Equal employment opportunity (EEO) restricts organizations from discriminating against people based on their gender, race or ethnicity. It guides organizational practices as managers select candidates during the hiring process, promotions and opportunities for training and professional development. Affirmative action (AA) aims to correct past discriminatory practices by providing a level playing field for women, people with disabilities and minority groups like Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans. The U.S. army also has EEO policies that â€Å"prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicapping condition or national origin† (U.S. Army, 1990, p. 114). Similarly, the AA policies are directed towards the recruitment, retention and development of high quality minority, handicapped and female employees. These policies are an integral part of employment, development, advancement and treatment of all personnel in the army. Women make up 14% of the U.S. armed forces and a military advisory committee is also considering lifting the ban on women serving in combat (Mulrine, 2011). Similarly, Hispanics make up about 12% of the U.S. army while Blacks and Asians make up about 11% and 4% respectively (Kane, 2005). This ethnic and racial diversity is also seen in higher level positions in the army as well. EEO and AA policies therefore create a feeling of fairness among employees as they experience equal access to trainings, promotion and other career development opportunities. Employers also benefit from these policies as they experience reduced workplace conflict, high job satisfaction and morale among employees, increased productivity and ability to meet organizational goals. As I realize the value of incorporating EEO and AA in an organization, it is my sincere desire to implement these policies in my future endeavors as well. Human Resources Planning, Recruitment and Selection HR planning, recruitment and selection is a key determinant of the overall performance of the organization. Recruitment of the wrong person can lead to increased turnover, low morale among existi ng employees and wasted time and resources with respect to recruiting, interviewing and training, all of which can seriously impact an organization’s bottom line. Following my high school graduation, I worked at a Mexican restaurant for a few months. The manager hired four illegal immigrants from Mexico, despite knowing the fact that they did not have the legal paperwork to work in America. He hired them at lower pay and required them to work for more hours compared to the other employees. An Immigration

Redefinition of Japanese American Identity Essay

Redefinition of Japanese American Identity - Essay Example Industrialists sought Japanese immigrants to replace the Chinese after the Chinese Exclusion Act took effect. The cultural diversity in the U.S resulted in fundamental questions being raised on America’s culture and identity. The reception of other Asian Americans in U.S had its basis on the reception that the Chinese received. The Japanese later discovered during the Second World War that their achievements in U.S did not lead to any acceptance by the American community. The Japanese were placed in internment camps, unlike the German and Italian Americans (Takaki, p. 7). After the Second World War, and following the treatment of the Japanese Americans during the war, their identity underwent redefinition. This is because of the historical experiences and changes in laws, economics and attitude during the war. After the Second World War, Japanese Americans faced numerous challenges that helped in the creation of their identity. In 1942 following the Pearl Harbor attack, Presid ent Roosevelt instituted the Executive Order 9066. Though the order appeared neutral, it targeted the Japanese classified as a danger to the American society. Thousands of Japanese-American citizens were sent to hurriedly constructed camps (Takaki, p. 6). Many of these citizens spent close to four years in this camps living under heavily armed guards. This Japanese American had American citizenship but faced internment because of their original country’s attack on Pearl Harbor. While the Japanese Americans faced internment, the African Americans faced extreme discrimination and segregation. African Americans would be forced into war and later be discriminated by the exact society it protected (Jones, p. 9). While the Japanese Americans population in West U.S represented a small portion of Japanese Americans in the country, they faced hostility from the vast white population. Customs and laws shut them out from participation in civil life and economics. Japanese immigrants did not have rights to property or citizenship. However, their descendants became citizens by birth and successful in farming and business. The Pearl Harbor attack by the Japanese gave the white Americans an opportunity to renew and reinforce their hostility towards the Japanese Americans. It also gave the white community an opportunity for targeting their competitors in economic activities. This community agitated for the elimination or removal of unwanted competitors-Japanese (Takaki, p. 6). White Americans posted relocation notices all over the American West Coast. The white Americans gave the Japanese one week to leave the country. Japanese farmer’s desperately looked to their unwilling neighbors to take care of their farms. Business owners and farm owners faced financial ruin. They lost everything and forced to sell their shops, homes, furniture and clothes. The Supreme Court in 1944 reinforced the exclusion constitutionally by declaring the permissibility of the exclusion to curtail the civil rights of the Japanese Americans because of the pressing public necessity (Jones, p. 6). This treatment of Japanese Americans by the white Americans is similar to the treatment of other Americans. The African and Mexican Americans faced exclusion from economic activities. Economic and social activities were the preserve of the white Americans, and they viewed other races as competition or slaves.