Max Weber (1864-1920) a German sociologist is the father of bureaucratic theory of management. He wrote the book "The Theory of social and Economic Organisation." According to him Bureaucracy is the organisational structure with highly routine operating tasks performed under formalised rules and regulations with tasks assigned to various departments. It is the formal system of organisation and administration designed to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
Principles of Bureaucracy
1. Division of work: Work is divided into simple, routine and well defined tasks and categorised on the basis of competency and specialisation.
2. Hierarchy: Positions in an organisation are organised in an hierarchy where superiors control their subordinates.
3. Rules and Regulations: The organisation is governed by certain rules and regulations which have to be strictly followed. It governs decision making and leads to impersonal relationships.
4. Impersonal relations: The conduct of a manager should be highly formal and impersonal, not affected by his personality and personal relations. He should treat all the employees equally.
5. Employment: Selection of the employees is totally formal based on his performance in selection exam and technical knowledge. There is a probation period and after that employee is a full time employee protected from arbitrary dismissal.
6. Jurisdiction: Jurisdiction of work is clearly defined by rules and official duties and is not governed by superior's order only.
7. Departmentalisation: Similar kind of tasks are grouped into functional departments.
8. Records: A written record of day to day all the official activities is maintained in files.
9. Rationality: Decision making is based on rationality on the prescribed rules and regulations and not upon ones liking.
10. Compensation: Compensation of the bureaucrats is not based on work done by them but on the basis of rank held by them in the organisation. They are compensated by regular salary and facility of pension for their old age.
Principles of Bureaucracy
1. Division of work: Work is divided into simple, routine and well defined tasks and categorised on the basis of competency and specialisation.
2. Hierarchy: Positions in an organisation are organised in an hierarchy where superiors control their subordinates.
3. Rules and Regulations: The organisation is governed by certain rules and regulations which have to be strictly followed. It governs decision making and leads to impersonal relationships.
4. Impersonal relations: The conduct of a manager should be highly formal and impersonal, not affected by his personality and personal relations. He should treat all the employees equally.
5. Employment: Selection of the employees is totally formal based on his performance in selection exam and technical knowledge. There is a probation period and after that employee is a full time employee protected from arbitrary dismissal.
6. Jurisdiction: Jurisdiction of work is clearly defined by rules and official duties and is not governed by superior's order only.
7. Departmentalisation: Similar kind of tasks are grouped into functional departments.
8. Records: A written record of day to day all the official activities is maintained in files.
9. Rationality: Decision making is based on rationality on the prescribed rules and regulations and not upon ones liking.
10. Compensation: Compensation of the bureaucrats is not based on work done by them but on the basis of rank held by them in the organisation. They are compensated by regular salary and facility of pension for their old age.
Bureaucratic management approach developed by Max Weber is not suitable for business organizations but may be suitable for government organizations.
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