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 Calculability vs Rational vs Competence vs Knowledgeability vs Objectivity vs Bureaucracy has linguistic layers Militaristic Mechanistic Capitalist Western Androcentric Inefficiency Unpredictability Irrational Incompetence Ignorance Subjectivity

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