What are the main elements of bureaucracy?

Bureaucracy

The most common type of organizational structure in contemporary organizations

German theorist, Max Weber (1864-1920) studied and wrote extensively on the topic of power and how it affects organizational structure. In doing such, he was able to identify the elements of bureaucracy. However, before discussing the dynamics a bureaucracy, a level of authority or legitimate power must be distinguished.

                                                He first began by identifying the 3 different types of

                                                Authority:

·         Charismatic Authority

o        Based upon personal characteristics

o        Led by individual or small group

·         Traditional Authority

o        Monarchy or Tradition Ruled

·         Legal-Rational Authority

o        Basis of Bureaucracy

o        Standardization of work processes

                                                                     www.faculty.rsu.edu/~felwell/Theorists/Weber/Whome.htm

For more information regarding the advantages/disadvantages of each type of authority, please refer to the above link.

Although Weber realized that a pure form of bureaucracy could never exist, he developed guidelines/elements for an ideal:

• A fixed division of labor
• A clearly defined hierarchy of positions, each with its own sphere of competence
• Job applicants selected on the basis of technical qualifications
• Employees paid by fixed salaries
• The position is primary occupation of office holder
• Promotion granted according to seniority and/or achievement
• Separation of day-to-day workers from higher authorities
• Separation of work from home and family life
• Written rules governing the performance of duties/behavior at work

"Precision, speed, unambiguity, knowledge of the files, continuity, discretion, unity, strict subordination, reduction of friction and of material and personal costs--these are raised tothe optimum point in the strictly bureaucratic organization"

                                                                         Max Weber (1946/1958, p. 214)

By clearly defining labor and creating a hierarchy of command, a bureaucracy is theorized to produce the most efficient/and rational results. “The overall ethos or character of Weber’s model is rationality. Weber’s theory sees organizations as a means to overcome individual cognitive limitations and biases by appealing to a higher system of rules and procedures.”  (Cheney 2004, pg 31)

"From a purely technical point of view, a bureaucracy is capable of attaining the highest degree of efficiency, and is in this sense formally the most rational known means of exercising authority over human beings.  It is superior to any other form in precision, in stability, in the stringency of its discipline, and in its reliability.  It thus makes possible a particularly high degree of calculability of results for the heads of the organization and for those acting in relation to it.  It is finally superior both in intensive efficiency and in the scope of its operations and is formally capable of application to all kinds of administrative tasks”

                                                                        Max Weber  (1968/1921, p. 223)

Another sociologist by the name of Avlvin Gouldner elaborated upon the writings of Max Weber. In the 1950’s, he conducted a study of bureaucracy at a gypsum plant in Illinois. For a more detailed account of his study, please visit the following URL:   www.analytictech.com/mb119/gouldner.htm .

 The case study follows the introduction of new management, and his struggle to create a bureaucratic structure from several types of bureaucracies that previously existed in the plant. By creating a new system of rules and procedures, the incoming manager was able formally organize the company and rid of traditional authority within his employees.

“This whole process of rationalization in the factory and elsewhere, and especially in the bureaucratic state machine, parallels the centralization of the material implements of organization in the hands of the master.  Thus, discipline inexorably takes over ever larger areas as the satisfaction of political and economic needs is increasingly rationalized.  This universal phenomenon more and more restricts the importance of charisma and of individually differentiated conduct" 

Max Weber (1921/1968, p. 1156)

Bureaucracies are designed to create a communication short-cut among the organization as a whole. However, creating short-cuts can end up creating problems in the long run. As stated earlier, no bureaucracy is pure. By creating increased levels of hierarchy, communication can become a daunting task. The figure above displays this idea further along with the indicated URL: http://dewey.bradley.edu:2066/universe/document?_m=86b792b7e7c080d6810baea0fc861ad7&_docnum=31&wchp=dGLbVzb-zSkVA&_md5=5788866e8cc16b3d305c93342c178e21

References

Cheney, Christensen, Zorn, Ganesh. 2004. “Organizational Communication in an Age of Globilization” Waveland Press Inc.

Elwell, Frank. Verstehen: Max Weber's Home Page"A site for undergraduates"  http://www.faculty.rsu.edu/~felwell/Theorists/Weber/Whome.htm#words

Weber, Max. 1968/1921. Economy and Society. Translated and edited by Guenther Roth and Claus Wittich.  New York:  Bedminster Press.

Weber, Max. 1946/1958. From Max Weber.  Translated and edited by H. H. Gerth and C. Wright Mills.  New York: Galaxy.

Weber, Max. 1921/1968. Max Weber on Law in Economy and Society.  Max Rheinstein (ed.).  Translated by Edward Shils and Max Rheinstein.  New York: Simon and Schuster.