nd within the context of a firm's mission statement. The most successful techniques for improving HRM operations and staff productivity as identified by the Institute of Management and Administration (HR managers reveal..., 2003) include the following key strategies:
. Increase and improve automation of all HRM functions to
enhance productivity and assist the department in making
. Set goals and accountability for HRM staff that result
. Streamline HRM practices and procedures by moving, for
example, to consistent and standardized HRM practices that
cut across all divisional and departmental units within the
Taken together, these kinds of strategic activities are seen by the Institute of Management and Administration (HR managers reveal..., 2003) as ultimately creating within HRM a value center that is capable of responding in a timely manner to emerging needs within the organization and providing key decision makers in the organization with the data that are needed for sound strategic planning activities.
For companies such as Walt Disney, diversity is addressed through affirmative action programs as well as other strategies.
Affirmative action as described by Leiter and Leiter (2002, p. 1) "differs from other anti-discrimination initiatives in that 1) it targets societal bias (as manifested in public and private action), not individual malefactors; 2) it mandates race, ethnic, and gender-conscious remedies for the disproportionately adverse effects - the so-called disparate impact - of societal discrimination on protected groups...; and 3) it seeks to integrate institutions by race, ethnicity, and gender." In terms of the federal government, affirmative action is of enormous significance in shaping employment and in requiring federal agencies, organizations, bureaucracies, and programs to actively recruit minorities (including women) to develop programs for advancing minoritie...