What are the strengths and weaknesses of seeing organizations as purely rational configurations - Essay Example

In simple terms, a rational society system entails specificity of objective and formalization. Objective plan provides guiding principle for particular tasks to be accomplished along with a regulated allocation of resources whereas formalization endeavored to standardize managerial behavior. The aim of rationalization is the end former bureaucratic way of running organizations. The anatomy of the bureaucratic regime was characterized by well-structure line of command, specific job regulations, division of labor, impersonality, etc.

(Bennis, 2001). These are the specific areas that rationalization confronts, and all through the approach has been facilitated by innumerable strengths in rationally configured organizations. However, there has not been anything as absolute or “pure” rationalization, for even Taylor- the founder of rationalization did not declare any purely or absolutely rational society (Mackenzie-Gonzalez, n.d). Rationalization has also drawn some prevalent weaknesses. In this essay, I seek to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of organizations perceived to rationally configured together with journey of rationalization.

In this regard, the areas to be considered include rational human replacement with technology, perception of rational management and linear system, rational predictability, and the rational calculability. In order to have a coherent understanding of the discussions of the weaknesses and strengths of perceiving an organization as purely rational, it is paramount to describe the journey the rationalization process. The organization in the past was characterized by bureaucracy and as it is well illustrated by Weber’s typology of an organization.

In particular, Max Weber was apprehensive with what he regarded as the most rational structure of the organization, the bureaucracy, and the influence embedded in it. He then noted that bureaucracies, preceding the industrialization,