Are Organizations Rational?
Organizations assume varied functioning and division of the labor procedures. Each organization adopts a system of management that best fits its model of business. Essentially, organizations select systems of management that synchronize effectively with their functions. Organizations are rational because, all departments mainly work towards achieving a common goal. All stakeholders in the organization understand the firm’s mission and objectives that they work towards achieving (Scott, 2003). This paper examines a controversial subject that questions whether organizations are rational. In exploring this subject, the paper initially revisits the meaning of a rational organization to draw a clear conclusion whether organizations are rational. The content presented on this paper has been researched from books and peer reviewed journals.
Initially, organizations are rational because they mainly have well-defined goals. Furthermore, all members of an organization and its stakeholders need to have knowledge of their roles and responsibilities. A rational organization implements formal layouts to highlight the responsibility of each member (Scott, 2003). The management process is predictable and rational in an organization where all goals are defined and roles assigned to individuals. Individuals form a rational organization with the intention of pulling their shared interests to enhance the performance of their organization. In essence, rational organizations are formed in pursuit of well-defined interests. For example, a hotel may identify its goals as providing quality hospitality services. In realizing this objective, all stakeholders need to work together being informed by the organization’s goals. In this case, waiters assume a role of taking orders and serving food. The chefs prepare meals while the cleaners maintain the hygiene. The managers supervise the activities in the hotel while other stakeholders assume their defined roles accordingly. The joint effort of each of the involved stakeholder eventually results to the realization of the organization’s goals. This example presents an overview of a rational organization overview where every employee in the organization knows his or her role. In a rational organization, management plays the role of overseeing the labor process (Scott, 2003). Management also ensures that all employees perform their assigned roles accordingly.
Organizations are rational because they implement a coherent decision-making model, which involves the acceptance or rejecting execution of different activities in the organization. In a rational organization decision-making is a process performed by every member. Members make decisions that affect the organization in different ways. The role of decision-making applies differently as per different positions in the organization. The formal organization hierarchy determines who can make what decisions. The decision making power is passed on through the hierarchy from a senior to a junior until the employee at the bottom of the hierarchy. Top executives assume the role of making decisions that affect the entire organization. For example, top executives make decisions of franchising the organization or investing in a different sector. Branch managers assume the role of making decisions that affect their branch. For example, division of labor in a particular branch is the role of the branch manager. Junior staffs are faced with the role of making decisions that affect their productivity and the kind of results they bring to the firm. Junior staff will only make decisions that involve their line of duty. For example, a junior worker is tasked with the operation of machines and equipment. It is important to account that each of the decision made by each member tend to align with the organization’s mission because there is a well-define operational policy that guides activities and decisions in the organization.
Through the decision making process, a decision made by a senior employee is more superior to that of a lower member (Taylor, 2003). A decision in the organization made by a junior staff is void if it contradicts a decision made by a top executive or any other superior. Organizations are rational because objectives and intended achievements of every cause of action are clearly spelt. In particular, stakeholders understand what each decision adopted by the organization aim at accomplishing.
Organizations are rational because they implement the principles of scientific management spelt by Fredrick Taylor. Taylor, the father of scientific management conceptualized the scientific management approach. In reference to Taylor’s model, organizations are rational because they apply the division of labor principle. The organization comprises of different workers with different specializations. Organizations divide tasks into smaller jobs, and each task is assigned to a unique group in the organization (Taylor, 2003). Division of labor is necessary in an organization because it makes it less tedious to complete a project. When division of labor is applied, different teams are created to perform different parts in the labor process. These teams have their individual roles and responsibilities in the organization. In this context, organizations can be viewed as rational entities.
In rational organizations, a very important role played by management is planning. Planning is the process of assessing what needs to be done: it also involves the allocation of resources. Through planning, resources are allocated to teams in the organization. The roles and functions of the organization are clear only when planning has taken place. Planning provides information that is used by employees in an organization to understand their roles. An organization is rational when planning is implemented because the goals of the organization are established through plans.
Organizations are rational because they practice coherently monitor and evaluate their operations. This involves checking on the progress made by the organization. Organizations monitor and evaluate their progress to find out which teams are lagging behind. Furthermore, it includes monitoring how organizations evaluate whether employees understand the organizational structure and goals to be achieved. The meaning of rational is working towards clear and well-established goals, through monitoring and evaluation the progress on the set goals is identified.
According to Taylor (2003), employees need to be trained scientifically to make them understand the organizations’ operations. Training gives the employees in an organization the chance to understand their roles and the hierarchy. After training, workers are provided with instructions regarding a particular task. Each of the workers performance is evaluated as pertaining to the task they were assigned. Organizations provide a chance for dialog and welcome opinions from employees. Organizations are rational because they are not managed in a dictatorial manner, and employee’s opinion is sought where necessary. Organizations are rational because scientific management approaches are used in their management. Organizations are managed bureaucratically as per Max Weber’s bureaucratic approach to management.
In organizations, power is not a tool it belongs to an office, not an official. A person is not powerful in an organization only his rank makes him or her powerful. The power of an office in the organization is clearly stated in the rules of an organization. Therefore, actions performed on behalf of an organization are not personal. Organizations act by following rules that have been set. The rules in organizations are specific; they describe the rewards and punishments for different actions. Rules in an organization govern all members regardless of their position within the organization (Pophal, 2005). The rules and guidelines in the organization provide a generally accepted code of conduct. Remuneration is different for employees on different levels of the hierarchy. The hierarchy and job groups determine the pay for different employees in the organization. A rational organization rewards employees differently depending on their experience and duties performed by the employee.
Organizations are rational because the selection process for new employees and application process is well defined. Organizations define the procedure to apply for a job and clearly state the qualifications for applicants. Operations are conducted with transparency and only fair employment opportunities are offered. Organizations are rational because they adhere to the bureaucracy concept raised by Max Weber (Pitsis, and Kornberger, 2011).
Organizations are rational because the functions of management are clearly identified and stated. In rational organizations, management plays the role of commanding. Through commanding, the organization is able to have a clear line of instructions. The flow of instructions is from the superiors to the juniors. Management also plays the role of organizing which involves putting things in order. Organizing occurs when teams are created to serve different purposes. The teams are created by managements in order to work towards achieving the defined goals of the organization. In rational organizations, all activities are well coordinated by the management. Coordination is an important aspect in rational organizations because it allows different components of the organization to work together. The support staff in an organization performs different roles; however, they are all able to work towards a common goal (Pitsis and Kornberger, 2011).
Organizations are rational because employees respect the offices with authority. The managers have the authority to give orders to employees. Employees respect and follow orders that come from the manager’s office. Employees are also disciplined, which is evident in their commitment to report at their workstations. Organizations uphold equity, managers treat all employees the same. Equity is also upheld by the code of conduct in an organization where rewards and punishments are issued the same way. Order is maintained in organizations this shows that organizations are rational. Order is an important aspect in organizations because the workplace is free from potential hazards (Robbins and Coulter, 2005). Employees receive orders only from a single direct instructor/supervisor. Organizations are rational because employees are given a chance to have the initiative. Employees have the chance to come up with small projects, which they implement by themselves. Organizations also promote “Esprit de Corps”, which is the spirit of the team effort and unity. Team spirit is the best way for an organization to achieve a common goal through working as a team. In organizations, all individual interests are subordinated to serve the organizations interests this ensures that conflict of interest does not occur. Managers too are expected to pursue the interests of the organization first before pursuing their own interests. This creates focus towards a common goal as an organization.
An important element that makes organizations rational is information. Employees are allowed to access important information that affects their operations in the organization (Pitsis, and Kornberger, 2011). Necessary information includes the weekly schedule and the organizations general calendar of activities. It also involves the activities that the organization conducts and the allocation of resources to different departments. Information regarding the roles and duties of every employee is also at the disposal of employees. Availability of this information to employees enables them to make the right decisions and work towards the interests of the organization. Organizations are rational because not all information is disclosed to the employees. Some information is referred to as classified information and only the top business executives have access to the information. The ability to classify information that is relevant for different domains proves that organizations are rational.
Conclusion
It is apparent that organizations are rational entities. The model and the manner of operations assumed organizations assert that they are rational. The efforts by management to ensure that the scientific approach of management is implemented shows that organizations are rational. In organizations, there are clear and well-defined objectives and goals. The roles of all workers are well stated together with the code of conduct in the organization. Organizations have different components, which all work together to serve a common purpose which marks them as rational entities. The coordination and organization of different components to realize a common goal shows that organizations are rational. The practice of scientific management approach also marks organizations as rational. In reference to the definition of the term rational, that regards to having a clear and well-defined structure; it is factual to state that organizations are rational.
References List
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Pitsis, T. and Kornberger, M. 2011.Managing and organizations: an introduction to theory and practice. 3rd ed. London: SAGE.
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Robbins, S. P. and Coulter, M. K., 2005.Management 8th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Scott, W. R. 2003. Organizations: rational, natural and open systems 5th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
Taylor, F. W. 2003. Scientific management. New York: Taylor & Francis.
