How is social inequality reproduced through day-to-day practices? In this commentary, we use the geographical context of Mexico City to argue that social inequality is maintained by “class work” of elites. Specifically, we discuss how (1) urban planning crystallizes class boundaries, (2) private school education reproduces them, and (3) tipping prevents their disruption.
BapujiH.PatelC.ErtugG.AllenD. G. (2020). Corona crisis and inequality: Why management research needs a societal turn. Journal of Management, 46, 1205–1222.
2.
FreireP. (1970). Cultural action and conscientization. Harvard Educational Review, 40(3), 452–477.
3.
GrayB.Kish-GephartJ. J. (2013). Encountering social differences at work: How “class work” perpetuates inequality. Academy of Management Review, 38, 670–699.
4.
PekS. (2022). The tip of the iceberg: A roadmap of management research on tipping. Journal of Management Inquiry, 31, 326–330.
5.
ZulfiqarG.PrasadA. (2021). Challenging social inequality in the Global South: Class, privilege, and consciousness-raising through critical management education. Academy of Management Learning and Education, 20, 156–181.
6.
ZulfiqarG.PrasadA. (2022). How is social inequality maintained in the Global South? Critiquing the concept of dirty work. Human Relations, 75, 2160–2186.
