Final answer:
SBA 8(a) certification gives preference in bidding on government contracts to women and minorities, aimed at correcting past discriminations and promoting diversity, as a part of affirmative action policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The SBA 8(a) certification is designed to provide preference in bidding on federal and state contracts to women and minorities. This program falls under the umbrella of affirmative action, which includes positive steps to increase the number and percentage of minorities and women in employment, education, and other fields where they have been historically discriminated against and underrepresented. The aim is to help correct past imbalances and promote diversity in government contracting.
It's important to note that while affirmative action efforts strive to equalize opportunities and can involve giving preference to minority candidates, these policies do not exclusively apply to one group. Indeed, a business that finds itself lacking workers to expand production has an incentive to hire more women and minorities, moving beyond their accustomed pool of workers, which may traditionally consist predominantly of white men. This demonstrates a practical aspect of affirmative action in action, beyond regulatory requirements.