Bureaucracy
The bureaucratic model developed because some people wanted to dominate others in
business and other activities. They organized men and materials for achieving
objectives for their personal benefits. This theory was given a formal shape by a
German Sociologist, Max Weber, who believed that bureaucracy was an ideal weapon
to harness human and physical resources. It is a formative model of organization
characterized by a large and complex atmosphere with impersonal detachment from
human resources. Rules, regulations, rigid hierarchy and specialized functions are
important feature of bureaucracy. It is the epitome of structural relationship to
control.
Features :
The hierarchy of authority involving the superior-subordinate relationship is the main
feature of bureaucracy. The superior has more authority to control the subordinate.
There is a chain of superior-subordinate relations. There is a clear-cut division of
work upon which the structural organization is based, for getting the benefits of
specialization and functionalization. Rules, regulations and procedure are considered
to be important functional guidelines for management. The importance of routine,
objectivity, uniformity and consistency are stressed under bureaucracy. Behavior is
controlled by rules and regulations. The discipline is judged from the extent of
following of rules and regulations. Impersonal attachment is always observed in this
type of organization. Personal, interpersonal and mutual relations have no place in the
bureaucracy. Organizational forms, speed, use of files and strict subordination are
observed in this type of organization. Rigidity and uniformity are basic principles of
bureaucracy. Authority and power rest with the office. Persons occupying an office
have all the legal power and authority of the office. The person is secondary and the
methods are primary.
Assessment of bureaucracy :
The bureaucracy model is unsuitable to the present requirements of management. It
is just a machine model wherein people have to follow the methods and modes of the
organization. It may be preferred where change is not needed. Government and
military organizations are adopting this principle because their main purposes are
discipline and complete follow up of the rules. It is not suitable in a business
organization because of rigidity, its impersonal nature and mechanical methods of
control. There is difficulty of coordination and control. It does not give satisfaction to
employees because it does not give importance to their needs and motives. The
bureaucracy model is present in military organizations, government officialdom’s and
so on. Its disadvantages are being realized these days in public administration also.
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