Bureaucracy
OR
How the World Turns
EDAD 8043
Basic Elements of Classical Bureaucracy
1. Hierarchical organizational structure
systematically orders communication and
authority among formally established positions
2. Division of labor based on functional
specialization
3. System of procedures, rules and regulations
covering rights and duties on the workplace
4. Impersonality of interpersonal relations
5. Promotion and selection based on technical
expertise
6. Rational systematic goal-oriented
organizational processes
Hierarchy
The effectiveness of the organization is
enhanced when there is a single head and when
superordinates delegate authority
--authority is dual: superior has the right to
command and subordinate is expected to be
attentive
--formal position and its control over rewards
and punishment are the means for gaining
compliance
--rational-legal authority is vested in the position
rather than the power of the person in it
--authority and responsibility are linked; the
responsibility to do something should carry the
authority to do it
--the linkage between authority and responsibility
makes individuals accountable and legitimizes
the existence of the hierarchy in the control
system
Task Specialization and Division of Labor
The effectiveness of the organization is
enhanced by these feature when everyone in the
organization knows to whom and for what he is
responsible
--work associated with each function is divided
into specialized tasks which can then be
organized into departments
--activities associated with accomplishment of
objectives should be determined in advance
--interdependent tasks should be distributed to
specialists, assigned to departments, and
coordinated by formally appointed superiors
--there should be specialization in assignment of
tasks but with some tasks done in common;
differentiation and specialization is a basic
characteristic of organization
Rules & Regulations
The effectiveness of the organization is
enhanced by the development of standardized
procedures for routine administrative
operation
--rational organizations provide explicit
guidelines to order and control behavior
--these exist so that activity can be standardized,
thus increasing efficiency
--it is assumed that staff will follow the
prescriptions in manuals and communications
from superiors
“Rules stabilize and hold together the elaborate,
complex system of authority, status, and
technical skills which constitute modern
bureaucratic organizations. Rules reduce
uncertainty by eliminating, as far as is possible,
the influence of individuals and creating a
permanent and predictable structure of
relationships independent of the position.”
(Anderson, 1968)
Impersonality of Interpersonal Relations
The principle of impersonality promotes
discipline by separating office from person,
thus minimizing the significance of personality
while highlighting the job
--the nomothetic dimensions of the organization is
emphasized (attainment of organizational
goals) to the diminution of the idiographic
dimension (attainment of individual goals)
-- employees are “fit” to the position and are
rewarded for their responsiveness: unavoidable
deviations from this pattern are labeled
“informal organizations” to signify their
illegitimacy
--various control mechanisms are used to increase
congruence between nomothetic and
idiographic interests - personal and
organizational plan specifying performance
objectives
Objectivity in Personnel Policies
The effectiveness of an organization is
enhanced by personnel policies which include
selecting the competent, training the
inexperienced, eliminating the incompetent,
and providing incentives for members
--personnel policies are objective and formalized
--employment is based on technical competence
-- favoritism in hiring and promotion are avoided
by objectivity in selection and evaluation
--contracts to specify a level of compensation
satisfactory to both parties
--motivation is provided by financial incentives
linked to performance
Rational & Systematic Processes
Administrative efficiency is valid only to the
extent that it contributes to the attainment of
the goals of the organization, and the extent
that it meets the requirements of the
environment for the survival of the
organization
--the rationality of individual problems solving
and attainment of goals is implicit
--given needed information, problem solutions,
and known choice consequences, individuals
will follow the course of action that is most
beneficial to the organization
--people behavior is goal oriented, rational and
systematic
Bureaucracy Forever
Entrenchment of the
Root Metaphor
Linguistic Reinforcement of Bureaucracy
Efficiency vs Inefficiency
Calculability vs Unpredictability
Rational vs Irrational
Competence vs Incompetence
Knowledgeability vs Ignorance
Objectivity vs Subjectivity
Bureaucracy has linguistic layers
Militaristic
Mechanistic
Capitalist
Western
Androcentric
The military layer
Line and staff officers
Chain of command
Subordinates
Superordinates
Discipline
Task Force
Standard Operating Procedure
Span of Control
Rhetorical Barriers
Thoughtful planning
Deliberated decisions
Forceful leadership
Responsible action
Accountability
Responsiveness
Efficiency
Cost effectiveness
Technology and Bureaucracy
MIS, PPBS, MBO, PERT
Marketing Surveys
Job Descriptions
Performance Assessment
Organization charts
Personnel supervision
Strategic Planning
TQM
Aphorisms of Bureaucracy
The Buck Stops Here
The buck never stops in an organization
Authority must be commensurate with
responsibility
Authority and responsibility are almost never
commensurate
Look Before You Leap
Leap for sure, but look it you have time