State and local government set-aside programs and minority business development in the post-croson era: the efficacy of disparity studies

Since the Supreme Court's decision in City of Richmond v. J. A. Croson in early 1989, disparity studies or minority business studies or discrimination studies have become a focal point in state and local government jurisdictions Minority Business Enterprise set-aside policies. Disparity studies have been conducted in more than sixty jurisdictions around the United States. This article discusses (1) the status of MBE set-aside programs after Croson, (2) examines the efficacy of disparity studies as mechanisms for justifying the adoption or continuation of set-aside programs in state and local governmental jurisdictions, (3) provides discussion of specific procedural analyses which have been major components of a disparity study and (4) provides a summary discussion of disparity studies conducted in five jurisdictions. The conclusion notes several weaknesses of disparity studies that, if addressed, would enhance their utilty. 1995, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

State and local government set-aside programs and minority business development in the post-croson era: the efficacy of disparity studies Academic Article