Bureaucracies

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Bureaucracies

• Characteristics and Dysfunctions

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Characteristics

• Max Weber found similarities among all
  bureaucracies
• Created the ideal type for bureaucracies (the
  model)
• No perfect bureaucracies actually exist

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1. Division of Labor

• Specialized experts to perform specialized skills
• Increases efficiency
• Division can lead to fragmentation and remove
  connections to the objectives set by the
  bureaucracy (alienation)
• Workers can become so skilled that they dont
  recognize problems
• Challenger explosion (1986)

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2. Hierarchy of Authority

• Each position under a higher authority

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3. Written Rules and Regulations

• Procedures ensure uniform performance of every
  task
• Clear standards of what is adequate or
  exceptional
• Rules and regulations can overshadow larger goals
• Goal displacement overzealous conformity to
  official regulations

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4. Impersonality

• without hatred or personality
• Duties performed without consideration for people
  as individualsconformity and equality but also
  cold and uncaring treatment
• Electronic phone messaging and email create
  impersonal responses as well

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5. Employment Based on Technical Qualifications

• Hiring based on technical qualifications
• Performance measured against set standards
• Hiring and promotions are based on performance
  not favoritism
• Peter Principle advancement based on merit can
  lead to promotions beyond competency level

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As a Process

• Bureaucratization has become a process
• Filtered into all areas of life small to large
  groups
• McDonaldization Process that mixes bureaucracy
  with extreme efficiency

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Connections

• How does this relate to the large global society?
• Global interdependence is creating cause for
  cultural understanding
• Bureaucratic levels
• Business deals across the world