4. EXAMPLES OF VARIATION IN THE METHODICAL USE OF THE CONCEPT OF ORGANIZATION
a. The gambit of compliance11
As we have noted earlier, the concept of rational organization is often regarded by sociologists and management technicians as a normative idealization. Even though one finds only ‘is’ and ‘is not’ in the substantive determination, there attaches the sense of ‘ought’ to the entire scheme.Conceived as a rule of conduct, the concept of organization is defined as having some determining power over action that takes place under the scope of its jurisdiction . This power to produce an intended result is uncertain and depends for its effectiveness on complex structural conditions. Hence, research informed by the conception of organization as a rule of conduct will seek to procureestimates of its effectiveness, and will relate the findings to factors that favor or mitigate against compliance . All such research is necessarily based on the assumption that the relationship of correspondence between the rule and the behaviors that are related to it is clear. A cursory consideration of the significance of rules as social facts reveals, however, that their meaning is not exhausted by their prospective sense. Aside from determining the occurrence of certain responses under suitable conditions, rules are also invoked to clarify the meaning of actions retrospectively.