Rationality in management of the social sector: studies in organizations having a solidary nature

Abstract

The growth in the practice of solidary work opens the way for researchers to again focus on various types of social organizations. Taking as a field of empirical research, the growing number of people who are dedicated to working in Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), this work describes research carried out in four NGOs in the city of Natal, RN, where the type of rationality used by workers in their activities was viewed in light of the theoretical discussion of Ramos (1989) about rationality. Data collection consisted of semi-structured interviews and free association techniques, from the perspective of social representation. Results highlight the value given to substantive rationality, even when it does not appear to be widespread throughout the organization. It was also found that, by seeking to work in organizations having a solidary nature, people strive to grow in a personal and professional sense