Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Business Ethics 2/2022

11-05-2021 | Original Paper

In the Name of Merit: Ethical Violence and Inequality at a Business School

Authors: Devi Vijay, Vivek G. Nair

Published in: Journal of Business Ethics | Issue 2/2022

Log in

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

This study examines how meritocracy as a collective social imaginary promoting social justice and fairness reproduces class and caste inequalities and fosters ethical violence. We interrogate discourse of merit in the narratives of the professional–managerial class-in-making at an Indian business school. Empirically, we draw on interviews, full-text responses to a qualitative questionnaire, and a student’s poem. We describe how business school students articulate merit as a neoliberal ethic, emphasizing prudential, enterprising attitudes, and responsibility. However, this positive, aspirational façade of merit masks practices of ethical violence, wherein individuals invoke an ethical principle as grounds for moral condemnation and linguistic injuries. These practices of ethical violence desubjectify disadvantaged students and result in silence as a form of inequality. We contribute to organizational research on inequalities by foregrounding ethical violence and desubjectification. We detail the possibilities of discursive agency in contesting and interrupting ethical violence.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Footnotes
1
Our data collection had largely concluded by 2019 when IIMs implemented the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation (10%). Thus, this study does not include EWS students. EWS inclusion complicates the binary of upper caste as general (merit) and oppressed castes as reserved (non-merit) and warrants further research.
 
2
IIM entrance exams introduced Third Gender as a category in 2019. Prior to this, candidates identified as male or female.
 
3
In some regions in India, some OBC groups compete with upper castes for economic and political dominance. Nevertheless, in the context of higher education, the general category’s claim on merit is entrenched. Dominant discourses relegate a student claiming a reservation to the shadow of ‘non-merit’ (Deshpande, 2013).
 
4
Beedis are South Asian cigarettes made of tobacco wrapped in tendu leaves.
 
5
State universities give domicile preferences; central institutions like IIMs, IITs and NITs do not.
 
6
Lakh is a unit in the Indian numbering system, equalling 100,000.
 
Literature
go back to reference Allen, A. (2011). Michael Young’s the rise of the meritocracy: A philosophical critique. British Journal of Educational Studies, 59(4), 367–382CrossRef Allen, A. (2011). Michael Young’s the rise of the meritocracy: A philosophical critique. British Journal of Educational Studies, 59(4), 367–382CrossRef
go back to reference Allen, A. (2012). Life without the “X” Factor: Meritocracy past and present. Power and Education, 4(1), 4–19CrossRef Allen, A. (2012). Life without the “X” Factor: Meritocracy past and present. Power and Education, 4(1), 4–19CrossRef
go back to reference Amis, J. M., Mair, J., & Munir, K. A. (2020). The organizational reproduction of inequality. Academy of Management Annals, 14(1), 195–230CrossRef Amis, J. M., Mair, J., & Munir, K. A. (2020). The organizational reproduction of inequality. Academy of Management Annals, 14(1), 195–230CrossRef
go back to reference Arnold, D., & Blackburn, S. (Eds.). (2004). Telling lives in India: Biography, autobiography, and life history. Indiana University Press. Arnold, D., & Blackburn, S. (Eds.). (2004). Telling lives in India: Biography, autobiography, and life history. Indiana University Press.
go back to reference Bapuji, H., Ertug, G., & Shaw, J. D. (2020). Organizations and societal economic inequality: A review and way forward. Academy of Management Annals, 14(1), 60–91CrossRef Bapuji, H., Ertug, G., & Shaw, J. D. (2020). Organizations and societal economic inequality: A review and way forward. Academy of Management Annals, 14(1), 60–91CrossRef
go back to reference Bauman, Z. (1991). Modernity and the Holocaust. Polity Press. Bauman, Z. (1991). Modernity and the Holocaust. Polity Press.
go back to reference Bell, E., & King, D. (2010). The elephant in the room: Critical management studies conferences as a site of body pedagogics. Management Learning, 41(4), 429–442CrossRef Bell, E., & King, D. (2010). The elephant in the room: Critical management studies conferences as a site of body pedagogics. Management Learning, 41(4), 429–442CrossRef
go back to reference Bourdieu, P., & Passeron, J.-C. (1990). Reproduction in education, society and culture. Sage. Bourdieu, P., & Passeron, J.-C. (1990). Reproduction in education, society and culture. Sage.
go back to reference Bristow, A., Robinson, S., & Ratle, O. (2017). Being an early-career CMS academic in the context of insecurity and ‘excellence’: The dialectics of resistance and compliance. Organization Studies, 38(9), 1185–1207CrossRef Bristow, A., Robinson, S., & Ratle, O. (2017). Being an early-career CMS academic in the context of insecurity and ‘excellence’: The dialectics of resistance and compliance. Organization Studies, 38(9), 1185–1207CrossRef
go back to reference Butler, J. (1997). Excitable speech: A politics of the performative. Routledge. Butler, J. (1997). Excitable speech: A politics of the performative. Routledge.
go back to reference Butler, J. (2006). Precarious life: The powers of mourning and violence. Verso. Butler, J. (2006). Precarious life: The powers of mourning and violence. Verso.
go back to reference Butler, J. P. (2009). Giving an account of oneself. Fordham University Press.CrossRef Butler, J. P. (2009). Giving an account of oneself. Fordham University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Butler, J. (2020). The force of nonviolence: The ethical in the political. Verso. Butler, J. (2020). The force of nonviolence: The ethical in the political. Verso.
go back to reference Brown, W. (2005). Edgework: Critical essays on knowledge and politics. Princeton University Press. Brown, W. (2005). Edgework: Critical essays on knowledge and politics. Princeton University Press.
go back to reference Castilla, E. J. (2008). Gender, race, and meritocracy in organizational careers. American Journal of Sociology, 113(6), 1479–1526CrossRef Castilla, E. J. (2008). Gender, race, and meritocracy in organizational careers. American Journal of Sociology, 113(6), 1479–1526CrossRef
go back to reference Castilla, E. J. (2017). Meritocracy. In F. M. Moghaddam (Ed.), The Sage encyclopedia of political behavior. (pp. 479–482). Sage. Castilla, E. J. (2017). Meritocracy. In F. M. Moghaddam (Ed.), The Sage encyclopedia of political behavior. (pp. 479–482). Sage.
go back to reference Castilla, E. J., & Benard, S. (2010). The paradox of meritocracy in organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 55(4), 543–676CrossRef Castilla, E. J., & Benard, S. (2010). The paradox of meritocracy in organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 55(4), 543–676CrossRef
go back to reference Chakravarty, S., & Somanathan, E. (2008). Discrimination in an elite labour market? Job placements at IIM-Ahmedabad. Economic and Political Weekly, 43(44), 45–50 Chakravarty, S., & Somanathan, E. (2008). Discrimination in an elite labour market? Job placements at IIM-Ahmedabad. Economic and Political Weekly, 43(44), 45–50
go back to reference Chrispal, S., Bapuji, H., and Zietsma, C. (2020). Caste and organization studies: Our silence makes us complicit. Organization Studies, 0170840620964038. Chrispal, S., Bapuji, H., and Zietsma, C. (2020). Caste and organization studies: Our silence makes us complicit. Organization Studies, 0170840620964038.
go back to reference Clarke, C. A., & Knights, D. (2015). Careering through academia: Securing identities or engaging ethical subjectivities? Human Relations, 68(12), 1865–1888CrossRef Clarke, C. A., & Knights, D. (2015). Careering through academia: Securing identities or engaging ethical subjectivities? Human Relations, 68(12), 1865–1888CrossRef
go back to reference Combs, G. M., & Nadkarni, S. (2005). The tale of two cultures: Attitudes towards affirmative action in the United States and India. Journal of World Business, 40(2), 158–171CrossRef Combs, G. M., & Nadkarni, S. (2005). The tale of two cultures: Attitudes towards affirmative action in the United States and India. Journal of World Business, 40(2), 158–171CrossRef
go back to reference Contu, A. (2018). ‘… The point is to change it’—Yes, but in what direction and how? Intellectual activism as a way of ‘walking the talk’ of critical work in business schools. Organization, 25(2), 282–293CrossRef Contu, A. (2018). ‘… The point is to change it’—Yes, but in what direction and how? Intellectual activism as a way of ‘walking the talk’ of critical work in business schools. Organization, 25(2), 282–293CrossRef
go back to reference Crabtree, J. (2019). The billionaire raj: A journey through India’s new gilded age. Tim Duggan Books. Crabtree, J. (2019). The billionaire raj: A journey through India’s new gilded age. Tim Duggan Books.
go back to reference Deshpande, A. (2013). Affirmative action in India. Oxford University Press. Deshpande, A. (2013). Affirmative action in India. Oxford University Press.
go back to reference Deshpande, S. (2003). Contemporary India: A sociological view. Penguin. Deshpande, S. (2003). Contemporary India: A sociological view. Penguin.
go back to reference Dirks, N. B. (2001). Castes of mind: Colonialism and the making of modern India. Princeton University Press. Dirks, N. B. (2001). Castes of mind: Colonialism and the making of modern India. Princeton University Press.
go back to reference Dobos, N. (2017). Networking, corruption, and subversion. Journal of Business Ethics, 144(3), 467–478CrossRef Dobos, N. (2017). Networking, corruption, and subversion. Journal of Business Ethics, 144(3), 467–478CrossRef
go back to reference Erlandson, D. A., Harris, E. L., Skipper, B. L., & Allen, S. D. (1993). Doing naturalistic inquiry: A guide to methods. Sage. Erlandson, D. A., Harris, E. L., Skipper, B. L., & Allen, S. D. (1993). Doing naturalistic inquiry: A guide to methods. Sage.
go back to reference Fernandes, L., & Heller, P. (2006). Hegemonic Aspirations: New middle class politics and India’s democracy in comparative perspective. Critical Asian Studies, 38(4), 495–522CrossRef Fernandes, L., & Heller, P. (2006). Hegemonic Aspirations: New middle class politics and India’s democracy in comparative perspective. Critical Asian Studies, 38(4), 495–522CrossRef
go back to reference Fotaki, M., & Prasad, A. (2015). Questioning neoliberal capitalism and economic inequality in business schools. Academy of Management Learning and Education, 14(4), 556–575CrossRef Fotaki, M., & Prasad, A. (2015). Questioning neoliberal capitalism and economic inequality in business schools. Academy of Management Learning and Education, 14(4), 556–575CrossRef
go back to reference Foucault, M. (1980). The History of Sexuality. (Vol. 1)Trans. Robert Hurley. Foucault, M. (1980). The History of Sexuality. (Vol. 1)Trans. Robert Hurley.
go back to reference Foucault, M. (1988). Technologies of the self: A seminar with Michel Foucault. University of Massachusetts Press. Foucault, M. (1988). Technologies of the self: A seminar with Michel Foucault. University of Massachusetts Press.
go back to reference Foucault, M. (1991). Politics and the Study of Discourse. In G. Burchell, C. Gordon, & P. Miller (Eds.), The Foucault Effect: Studies in governmentality.University of Chicago Press. Foucault, M. (1991). Politics and the Study of Discourse. In G. Burchell, C. Gordon, & P. Miller (Eds.), The Foucault Effect: Studies in governmentality.University of Chicago Press.
go back to reference Giroux, H. A. (2013). America’s education deficit and the war on youth. NYU. Giroux, H. A. (2013). America’s education deficit and the war on youth. NYU.
go back to reference Gooptu, N. (2013). Enterprise culture in neoliberal India: Studies in youth, class, work and media. Routledge Contemporary South Asia Series.CrossRef Gooptu, N. (2013). Enterprise culture in neoliberal India: Studies in youth, class, work and media. Routledge Contemporary South Asia Series.CrossRef
go back to reference Gray, B., & Kish-Gephart, J. J. (2013). Encountering social class differences at work: How “class work” perpetuates inequality. Academy of Management Review, 38(4), 670–699CrossRef Gray, B., & Kish-Gephart, J. J. (2013). Encountering social class differences at work: How “class work” perpetuates inequality. Academy of Management Review, 38(4), 670–699CrossRef
go back to reference Guru, G. (2009). Rejection of rejection: Foregrounding self-respect. In G. Guru (Ed.), Humiliation: Claims and context. (pp. 209–225). Oxford University Press. Guru, G. (2009). Rejection of rejection: Foregrounding self-respect. In G. Guru (Ed.), Humiliation: Claims and context. (pp. 209–225). Oxford University Press.
go back to reference Han, B.-C. (2017). Psychopolitics: Neoliberalism and new technologies of power. Verso Books. Han, B.-C. (2017). Psychopolitics: Neoliberalism and new technologies of power. Verso Books.
go back to reference Hanna, E., & Gough, B. (2020). The impact of infertility on men’s work and finances: Findings from a qualitative questionnaire study. Gender, Work & Organization, 27(4), 581–591CrossRef Hanna, E., & Gough, B. (2020). The impact of infertility on men’s work and finances: Findings from a qualitative questionnaire study. Gender, Work & Organization, 27(4), 581–591CrossRef
go back to reference Harvey, D. (2007). A brief history of neoliberalism. Oxford University Press. Harvey, D. (2007). A brief history of neoliberalism. Oxford University Press.
go back to reference Huber, C., & Munro, I. (2014). “Moral distance” in organizations: An inquiry into ethical violence in the works of Kafka. Journal of Business Ethics, 124(2), 259–269CrossRef Huber, C., & Munro, I. (2014). “Moral distance” in organizations: An inquiry into ethical violence in the works of Kafka. Journal of Business Ethics, 124(2), 259–269CrossRef
go back to reference IIT Kanpur. (2018). JEE (Advanced) 2018—Joint Implementation Committee Report. IIT Kanpur. (2018). JEE (Advanced) 2018—Joint Implementation Committee Report.
go back to reference Illich, I. (2002). Deschooling Society. Harper Row. Illich, I. (2002). Deschooling Society. Harper Row.
go back to reference Jodhka, S. S., & Newman, K. (2007). In the name of globalisation: Meritocracy, productivity and the hidden language of caste. Economic and Political Weekly, 4125–4132. Jodhka, S. S., & Newman, K. (2007). In the name of globalisation: Meritocracy, productivity and the hidden language of caste. Economic and Political Weekly, 4125–4132.
go back to reference Jørgensen, M. W., & Phillips, L. J. (2002). Discourse analysis as theory and method. Sage.CrossRef Jørgensen, M. W., & Phillips, L. J. (2002). Discourse analysis as theory and method. Sage.CrossRef
go back to reference Joshi, S., & Malghan, D. (2017). Faculty diversity at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs): A preliminary snapshot. IIM Bangalore Research Paper, 554, 1–5 Joshi, S., & Malghan, D. (2017). Faculty diversity at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs): A preliminary snapshot. IIM Bangalore Research Paper, 554, 1–5
go back to reference Kärreman, D., & Alvesson, M. (2010). Understanding ethical closure in organizational settings–the case of media organizations. In S. L. Muhr, B. M. Sorensen, & S. Vallentin (Eds.), Ethics and organizational practice: Questioning the moral foundations of management. (pp. 57–80). Edward Elgar. Kärreman, D., & Alvesson, M. (2010). Understanding ethical closure in organizational settings–the case of media organizations. In S. L. Muhr, B. M. Sorensen, & S. Vallentin (Eds.), Ethics and organizational practice: Questioning the moral foundations of management. (pp. 57–80). Edward Elgar.
go back to reference Khan, S. R. (2011). Privilege: The making of an adolescent elite at St. Paul’s School. Princeton University Press.CrossRef Khan, S. R. (2011). Privilege: The making of an adolescent elite at St. Paul’s School. Princeton University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Kumar, N. (2016). The middle-class child: Ruminations on failure. In A. Baviskar & R. Ray (Eds.), Elite and everyman: The cultural politics of the Indian middle classes.Routledge. Kumar, N. (2016). The middle-class child: Ruminations on failure. In A. Baviskar & R. Ray (Eds.), Elite and everyman: The cultural politics of the Indian middle classes.Routledge.
go back to reference Littler, J. (2018). Against meritocracy: Culture, power and myths of mobility. Routledge. Littler, J. (2018). Against meritocracy: Culture, power and myths of mobility. Routledge.
go back to reference McCoy, S. K., & Major, B. (2007). Priming meritocracy and the psychological justification of inequality. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 43(3), 341–351CrossRef McCoy, S. K., & Major, B. (2007). Priming meritocracy and the psychological justification of inequality. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 43(3), 341–351CrossRef
go back to reference McNamee, S., & Miller, R. (2004). The meritocracy myth. Rowman & Littlefield. McNamee, S., & Miller, R. (2004). The meritocracy myth. Rowman & Littlefield.
go back to reference Mistree, D. F. A. (2015). Understanding meritocracy: A study of higher education institutions in India. Unpublished Doctoral dissertation. Princeton University. Mistree, D. F. A. (2015). Understanding meritocracy: A study of higher education institutions in India. Unpublished Doctoral dissertation. Princeton University.
go back to reference Mosse, D. (2018). Caste and development: Contemporary perspectives on a structure of discrimination and advantage. World Development, 110, 422–436CrossRef Mosse, D. (2018). Caste and development: Contemporary perspectives on a structure of discrimination and advantage. World Development, 110, 422–436CrossRef
go back to reference Mukherjee, R. (1999). Caste in itself, caste and class, or caste in class. Economic and Political Weekly, 1759–1761. Mukherjee, R. (1999). Caste in itself, caste and class, or caste in class. Economic and Political Weekly, 1759–1761.
go back to reference Munshi, K. (2016). Caste networks in the modern Indian economy. In S. M. Dev & P. Babu (Eds.), Development in India. (pp. 13–37). Springer.CrossRef Munshi, K. (2016). Caste networks in the modern Indian economy. In S. M. Dev & P. Babu (Eds.), Development in India. (pp. 13–37). Springer.CrossRef
go back to reference Munshi, K., & Rosenzweig, M. (2009). Why is mobility in India so low? Social insurance, nequality, and growth (No. w14850). National Bureau of Economic Research. Munshi, K., & Rosenzweig, M. (2009). Why is mobility in India so low? Social insurance, nequality, and growth (No. w14850). National Bureau of Economic Research.
go back to reference Report, N. D. L. M. (2017). Digital literacy training to non-IT literate citizens. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Report, N. D. L. M. (2017). Digital literacy training to non-IT literate citizens. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
go back to reference Nair, J. (2017). The provocations of the public university. Economic and Political Weekly, 52(37), 35–39 Nair, J. (2017). The provocations of the public university. Economic and Political Weekly, 52(37), 35–39
go back to reference NSO. (2020). Household Social Consumption on Education in India: NSS 75th round. Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation. Government of India. NSO. (2020). Household Social Consumption on Education in India: NSS 75th round. Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation. Government of India.
go back to reference O’Malley, P. (1992). Risk, power and crime prevention. Economy and Society, 21(3), 252–275CrossRef O’Malley, P. (1992). Risk, power and crime prevention. Economy and Society, 21(3), 252–275CrossRef
go back to reference Pandey, G. (2016). Dreaming in English: Challenges of nationhood and democracy. Economic and Political Weekly, 51(16), 56–62 Pandey, G. (2016). Dreaming in English: Challenges of nationhood and democracy. Economic and Political Weekly, 51(16), 56–62
go back to reference Pathania, G. J., & Tierney, W. G. (2018). An ethnography of caste and class at an Indian university: Creating capital. Tertiary Education and Management, 24(3), 221–231 Pathania, G. J., & Tierney, W. G. (2018). An ethnography of caste and class at an Indian university: Creating capital. Tertiary Education and Management, 24(3), 221–231
go back to reference Piketty, T. (2014). Capital in the Twenty-First Century. Harvard University Press.CrossRef Piketty, T. (2014). Capital in the Twenty-First Century. Harvard University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Prasad, A., O’Brien, L. T., & Sockbeson, C. E. S. (2020). Caste at work: Study of factors influencing attitudes toward affirmative action in India. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, 39(6), 597–616CrossRef Prasad, A., O’Brien, L. T., & Sockbeson, C. E. S. (2020). Caste at work: Study of factors influencing attitudes toward affirmative action in India. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, 39(6), 597–616CrossRef
go back to reference Rani, C. S. (1998). Dalit women's writing in Telugu. Economic and Political Weekly 33(17), WS21–WS24. Rani, C. S. (1998). Dalit women's writing in Telugu. Economic and Political Weekly 33(17), WS21–WS24.
go back to reference Rose, N. (1999). Powers of freedom: Reframing political thought. Cambridge University Press.CrossRef Rose, N. (1999). Powers of freedom: Reframing political thought. Cambridge University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Rose, N., O’Malley, P., & Valverde, M. (2006). Governmentality. Annual Review of Law and Social Science, 2, 83–104CrossRef Rose, N., O’Malley, P., & Valverde, M. (2006). Governmentality. Annual Review of Law and Social Science, 2, 83–104CrossRef
go back to reference Sandel, M. (2020). The tyranny of merit: What’s become of the common good. Farrar. Sandel, M. (2020). The tyranny of merit: What’s become of the common good. Farrar.
go back to reference Scully, M. A. (2002). Confronting errors in the meritocracy. Organization, 9(3), 396–401CrossRef Scully, M. A. (2002). Confronting errors in the meritocracy. Organization, 9(3), 396–401CrossRef
go back to reference Scully, M., Rothenberg, S., Beaton, E. E., & Tang, Z. (2018). Mobilizing the wealthy: Doing “privilege work” and challenging the roots of inequality. Business & Society, 57(6), 1075–1113CrossRef Scully, M., Rothenberg, S., Beaton, E. E., & Tang, Z. (2018). Mobilizing the wealthy: Doing “privilege work” and challenging the roots of inequality. Business & Society, 57(6), 1075–1113CrossRef
go back to reference Sennett, R. (2006). The new culture of capitalism. Yale University Press. Sennett, R. (2006). The new culture of capitalism. Yale University Press.
go back to reference Shamir, R. (2008). The age of responsibilization: On market-embedded morality. Economy and Society, 37(1), 1–19CrossRef Shamir, R. (2008). The age of responsibilization: On market-embedded morality. Economy and Society, 37(1), 1–19CrossRef
go back to reference Śliwa, M., & Johansson, M. (2014a). The discourse of meritocracy contested/reproduced: Foreign women academics in UK business schools. Organization, 21(6), 821–843CrossRef Śliwa, M., & Johansson, M. (2014a). The discourse of meritocracy contested/reproduced: Foreign women academics in UK business schools. Organization, 21(6), 821–843CrossRef
go back to reference Śliwa, M., & Johansson, M. (2014b). How non-native English-speaking staff are evaluated in linguistically diverse organizations: A sociolinguistic perspective. Journal of International Business Studies, 45(9), 1133–1151CrossRef Śliwa, M., & Johansson, M. (2014b). How non-native English-speaking staff are evaluated in linguistically diverse organizations: A sociolinguistic perspective. Journal of International Business Studies, 45(9), 1133–1151CrossRef
go back to reference Springer, S. (2016). The discourse of neoliberalism: An anatomy of a powerful idea. Rowman & Littlefield. Springer, S. (2016). The discourse of neoliberalism: An anatomy of a powerful idea. Rowman & Littlefield.
go back to reference Subramanian, A. (2019). The caste of merit: Engineering education in India. Harvard University Press.CrossRef Subramanian, A. (2019). The caste of merit: Engineering education in India. Harvard University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Teltumbde, A. (2018). Republic of caste: Thinking equality in the time of neoliberal Hindutva. Navayana. Teltumbde, A. (2018). Republic of caste: Thinking equality in the time of neoliberal Hindutva. Navayana.
go back to reference Uhlmann, E. L., & Cohen, G. L. (2005). Constructed criteria: Redefining merit to justify discrimination. Psychological Science, 16(6), 474–480CrossRef Uhlmann, E. L., & Cohen, G. L. (2005). Constructed criteria: Redefining merit to justify discrimination. Psychological Science, 16(6), 474–480CrossRef
go back to reference Vaid, D. (2012). The caste-class association in India. Asian Survey, 52(2), 395–422CrossRef Vaid, D. (2012). The caste-class association in India. Asian Survey, 52(2), 395–422CrossRef
go back to reference Vaid, D. (2014). Caste in contemporary India: Flexibility and persistence. Annual Review of Sociology, 40(1), 391–410CrossRef Vaid, D. (2014). Caste in contemporary India: Flexibility and persistence. Annual Review of Sociology, 40(1), 391–410CrossRef
go back to reference Vaid, D. (2016). Patterns of social mobility and the role of education in India. Contemporary South Asia, 24(3), 285–312CrossRef Vaid, D. (2016). Patterns of social mobility and the role of education in India. Contemporary South Asia, 24(3), 285–312CrossRef
go back to reference van den Brink, M., & Benschop, Y. (2011). Gender practices in the construction of academic excellence: Sheep with five legs. Organization, 19(4), 507–524CrossRef van den Brink, M., & Benschop, Y. (2011). Gender practices in the construction of academic excellence: Sheep with five legs. Organization, 19(4), 507–524CrossRef
go back to reference Varman, R. (2014). Marketing thought in India: Challenges of hegemony and inclusivity. Vikalpa, 39(2), 1–6CrossRef Varman, R. (2014). Marketing thought in India: Challenges of hegemony and inclusivity. Vikalpa, 39(2), 1–6CrossRef
go back to reference Varman, R., Saha, B., & Skålén, P. (2011). Market subjectivity and neoliberal governmentality in higher education. Journal of Marketing Management, 27(11–12), 1163–1185CrossRef Varman, R., Saha, B., & Skålén, P. (2011). Market subjectivity and neoliberal governmentality in higher education. Journal of Marketing Management, 27(11–12), 1163–1185CrossRef
go back to reference Weiss, G., & Wodak, R. (2003). Introduction: Theory, interdisciplinarity and critical discourse analysis. In G. Weiss & R. Wodak (Eds.), Critical discourse analysis (pp 1–32).Palgrave Macmillan. Weiss, G., & Wodak, R. (2003). Introduction: Theory, interdisciplinarity and critical discourse analysis. In G. Weiss & R. Wodak (Eds.), Critical discourse analysis (pp 1–32).Palgrave Macmillan.
go back to reference Wodak, R. (2001). The discourse historical approach. In R. Wodak & M. Meyer (Eds.), Methods of critical discourse analysis.Sage.CrossRef Wodak, R. (2001). The discourse historical approach. In R. Wodak & M. Meyer (Eds.), Methods of critical discourse analysis.Sage.CrossRef
go back to reference Yang, T., & Aldrich, H. E. (2014). Who’s the boss? Explaining gender inequality in entrepreneurial teams. American Sociological Review, 79(2), 303–327CrossRef Yang, T., & Aldrich, H. E. (2014). Who’s the boss? Explaining gender inequality in entrepreneurial teams. American Sociological Review, 79(2), 303–327CrossRef
go back to reference Yengde, S. (2019). Caste matters. Penguin India. Yengde, S. (2019). Caste matters. Penguin India.
go back to reference You Yenn, T. (2019). This is what inequality looks like. Ethos Books. You Yenn, T. (2019). This is what inequality looks like. Ethos Books.
go back to reference Young, M. D. (1958). The rise of the meritocracy 1870–2033. (2nd ed.). Penguin Books. Young, M. D. (1958). The rise of the meritocracy 1870–2033. (2nd ed.). Penguin Books.
go back to reference Zyglidopoulos, S. C., & Fleming, P. J. (2008). Ethical distance in corrupt firms: How do innocent bystanders become guilty perpetrators? Journal of Business Ethics, 78(1–2), 265–274CrossRef Zyglidopoulos, S. C., & Fleming, P. J. (2008). Ethical distance in corrupt firms: How do innocent bystanders become guilty perpetrators? Journal of Business Ethics, 78(1–2), 265–274CrossRef
go back to reference Zwick-Maitreyi, M., Soundararajan, T., Dar, N., Bheel, R. F., & Balakrishnan, P. (2018). Caste in the United States: A survey of caste among South Asian Americans. Equality Labs. Zwick-Maitreyi, M., Soundararajan, T., Dar, N., Bheel, R. F., & Balakrishnan, P. (2018). Caste in the United States: A survey of caste among South Asian Americans. Equality Labs.
Metadata
Title
In the Name of Merit: Ethical Violence and Inequality at a Business School
Authors
Devi Vijay
Vivek G. Nair
Publication date
11-05-2021
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Journal of Business Ethics / Issue 2/2022
Print ISSN: 0167-4544
Electronic ISSN: 1573-0697
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04824-1

Other articles of this Issue 2/2022

Journal of Business Ethics 2/2022 Go to the issue