Rationalities
Rationalities and their origin
In our region, organizations are expected to make rational decisions and take action in a reasonable manner. What qualifies as rational is based on the reactions of others within a group. When we explain our actions, we can gauge whether they are recognized as logical by others. The more agreement there is, the easier it is to communicate within the group since we share the same understanding of what is logical.
In academic research, rationality is often referred to as the action, justification, and construction logics of a community of meaning. This community constructs meaning in the same way, which means that information is interpreted consistently.
As an action logic, rationality influences our decision-making by providing a logical path to follow. As a justification logic, it provides arguments that we believe are rational within the community of meaning. Finally, as a construction logic, our rationality shapes our perception of the world around us. It acts as a filter that constrains our perception, and we interpret what we perceive using our rationality to construct our own reality.
6 different dimensions
Our questionnaire measures rationality across six distinct dimensions, each of which can vary independently. These dimensions serve as the foundation of our assessment, and the results will provide you with insight into the extent of each dimension of your rationality.
Legal dimension
Here, the rule orientation is in the foreground. You adhere to formal rules and also expect others to comply with internal directives. Thus, you assume that everyone knows and has internalised the formal rules of your organisation. For this reason, rules are also a good argument for you, which show you the correct way.
Economic dimension
Here the transaction is in the foreground. You act according to the motto “give and take” and consider meaningful what promises a profit. In your view, everything has its (monetary) price. Incentives are primarily effective for you if they involve monetary payments. What costs nothing is also worth less to you in case of doubt.
Political dimension
Here, power is in the foreground. Basically, you assume that others strive for more influence. Consequently, influence is considered an important quality for you, which is why you go out of your way to surround yourself with influential people. You tend to avoid conflicts if there is a legitimate risk of losing them.
Technical dimension
Here, the functionality is in the foreground. It is particularly important to you that things and tools fulfil their function. In doing so, you usually strive for the perfect solution and are eager to have everything fixed that does not work. You and your environment always develop solutions in such a way that they fulfil their purpose.
Social dimension
Here, the living together is in the foreground. You are primarily concerned with integration and cooperation, whereby you also expect superiors to take care of employees’ personal concerns. For you, consideration for individual life situations is important, which is why you advocate people-oriented leadership.
Creative dimension
Here, self-fulfilment is in the foreground. For you, so-called “out of the box” thinking is a good argument. In doing so, you desire to try new things and consider it a compliment to be original. Consequently, you encourage creative as well as unusual ideas and generally consider creativity to be a rational argument.