What is meant by the terms 'Rationalisation' and 'Bureaucracy', and what is their significance in the study of work?

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Gurtej Singh Sahi

SY1910 – ESSAY 1

What is meant by the terms ‘RATIONALISATION’ and ‘BUREAUCRACY’, and what is their significance in the study of work?

Taken from the oxford dictionary, ‘Rationalisation is                ’. ‘Bureaucracy is a system of Government by departments which are managed by state officials, not by elected representatives’.

These were the basic definitions of these terms; however they have a much broader meaning and are very significant in the study of work which will be discussed in this essay.

Karl Marx is a key figure in the theory of rationalisation.  One form of rationalisation which he believed in is the capitalist mode of production which is where division of labour and change is forced on people.  He also believed that human beings are not able to exercise essential characteristics due to rationalisation cutting down workers into smaller chunks which also leads to the alienation of humans.

The ‘McDonaldisation of society’ is a key theory that develops the concept of rationalisation.  This theory was founded by G. Ritzer.  This theory has four main aspects:

Calculability:        Involves an emphasis on things that can be calculated, counted and quantified.

Efficiency:        This is the process of choosing the optimum means to a given end.

Predictability:        McDonaldization emphasises such things as discipline, order, systemization, formation, routine, consistency, and methodical operation.

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Control:        the great source of uncertainty and unpredictability in a rationalising system are people.

Ritzer’s theory was based on the McDonalds enterprise and how it rapidly grew into a commercialised organisation striving to be the most efficient and popular organisation in its sector.  His theory made clear the rationalisation process that was taking place in his time and it also influenced other major sociologists and their theories.

A key concept in rationalisation is theory of ‘scientific management’ which was founded by Fredric Taylor.  In traditional organisations ordinary shop floor workers get on with the work they are told to do. ...

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