Organizational Change: Material Rationality and Formal Rationality as two approaches of change in the organization

Abstract

This work aims at identifying two approaches of organizational reform, that impact differently on the organization and in turn on the organizational performance (operational and financial). ISO9000 and Lean Management are taken as examples of practices adopted with Material Rationality (Lean Management) and Formal Rationality (ISO9000), by deep-diving their characteristics and then empirically analyzing the way they are adopted by firms in the plastic and chemical industry.