racionalizatsiya

Racionalizatsiya is a concept describing the process of making systems, processes, or organizations more efficient through planning, standardization, and the elimination of waste. The term derives from the idea of applying reason and calculation to reduce costs, increase productivity, and optimize resource use. In practice, racionalizatsiya can refer to changes in industry, management, urban planning, and public administration.

Historically, racionalizatsiya has been associated with the rise of scientific management and modern bureaucratic organization. In industrial contexts, it often involves time-and-motion studies, workflow optimization, standardization of components, automation, and the rational allocation of labor. In sociology, it is linked to the broader concept of rationalization in modern society, as described by scholars who highlight increased calculation, formal rules, and bureaucratization as defining features of contemporary life.

Applications vary by sector but commonly include production rationalization (streamlining manufacturing processes, reducing redundant steps, and adopting new technologies), administrative rationalization (reorganizing offices, improving decision-making processes), and service-sector improvements (standardized procedures, quality control, and performance metrics). Information technology and data analysis frequently support racionalizatsiya by enabling better scheduling, inventory management, and process monitoring.

Critiques focus on potential downsides, such as loss of flexibility, deskilling, dehumanization, or a focus on short-term efficiency at the expense of innovation and worker well-being. Proponents argue that rationalization, when balanced with human considerations, can sustain growth, competitiveness, and better use of resources.