Applying Rational Systems Theory to 'Bridge Over the River Kwai'

The purpose of this paper is to apply the rational systems theory to Bridge Over the River Kwai. First, an overview of the rational systems theory is provided. Second, a brief description of Bridge Over the River Kwai is provided. Lastly, the rational system theory is applied to Bridge Over the River Kwai. First, rational systems theory argues that organizations are “instruments” whose sole purpose is to achieve a definite goal by way of a formal organizational structure. Goal specificity, allows the organization or institution to pinpoint exactly what they want to accomplish and the best means to do so. The specific goal(s) are tangible and provide a conceptual identity for what the organization is and what the organization or institution

First, in the movie, the POWs are required to complete a specific goal or task within a given timeframe, building the bridge. Additionally, the military provides a very formal structure. The formality is present even despite the fact that the POWs have been captured and forced to work on the bridge. This is evident when Lt. Colonel Nicholson gives up on his efforts to prevent the POWs from working on the bridge and becomes fully invested in its completion. Nevertheless, although the soldiers originally delayed the completion of the bridge they never completely stopped working on the bridge because of perceived obligations. However, The POWs rationality does contribute to their desire to sabotage the completion of the bridge. For example, at the end of the film when Colonel Nicholson discovers that a group of escaped soldiers plan to destroy the completed bridge he tries to fight them off, but eventually rationalizes that destruction of the bridge is the way to go.

In conclusion, this paper applied the rational systems theory to Bridge Over the River Kwai. An overview of the rational systems theory was provided. A brief description of the movie was provided. And, the rational systems theory was applied to Bridge Over the River Kwai to examine how organizations can be managed and the potentially detrimental results of