The Meritocracy Paradox

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The Meritocracy Paradox is an extremely timely account of how we should consider merit in the workplace-and why we typically don't-that has the rare combination of being academically rigorous, insightful, and also fun to read. Highly recommended. -- Peter Cappelli, author of <i>Our Least Important Asset: Why the Relentless Focus on Finance and Accounting Is Bad for Business and Employees</i> Castilla leverages rigorous research to document how and why meritocratic ideals have failed to ensure equal opportunity, and he proposes workable recommendations for making workplaces fairer. His analysis is particularly resonant in the current milieu. This timely book merits close attention-from business and education leaders, policy makers, scholars, and anyone else seeking more effective organizations and a more just society. -- James Baron, William S. Beinecke Professor of Management, Yale School of Management Meritocracy is an ideal for most of us. Yet in the pursuit of that ideal, we easily blind ourselves to many forms of unfairness. Castilla's illuminating book, based on decades of research, shows what it takes to achieve a true meritocracy-and the many traps to avoid along the way. A cautionary tale and essential guidebook for the current times, it will open your eyes to how real fairness operates. -- Herminia Ibarra, The Charles Handy Professor of Organisational Behaviour, London Business School In The Meritocracy Paradox, Castilla offers a timely exploration of the promise-and hidden perils-of meritocracy in contemporary organizations. Drawing on decades of rigorous research, he reveals with clarity and insight how even the best-intentioned practices can unintentionally reinforce inequality. This book equips readers with practical, evidence-based strategies to ensure that workplace personnel decisions are fair and effective. A must-read for scholars, managers, and anyone committed to building better organizations. -- Lauren A. Rivera, author of <i>Pedigree: How Elite Students Get Elite Jobs</i> The ideal of meritocracy is fundamental to organizations' ability to attract and retain talented workers yet is often not achieved in practice. Drawing on extensive research, this book provides valuable insights as to how organizations can truly promote high performance, fairness, diversity, and opportunity for all. -- Arne L. Kalleberg, Kenan Distinguished Professor of Sociology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Blending rigorous empirical work, compelling theoretical insights, and thoughtful practical guidance, The Meritocracy Paradox is essential reading for organizations seeking to improve their talent-management systems as well as scholars seeking to understand the complex ways that meritocracy actually operates within the world of work. -- David S. Pedulla, author of <i>Making the Cut: Hiring Decisions, Bias, and the Consequences of Nonstandard, Mismatched, and Precarious Employment</i> The Meritocracy Paradox is a landmark contribution from one of the most insightful organizational scholars of our time. With empirical precision and deep humanity, Castilla gives us a practical, evidence-based guide to understanding how fairness falters in business, education, and government-and how we can still get it right. -- Andras Tilcsik, coauthor of <i>Meltdown: Why Our Systems Fail and What We Can Do About It</i>