Chapter 4, Section 5Chapter 4, Section 5The Structure of Formal Organizations

Goals and Objectives:

-to explain how bureaucracies are structured

-to evaluate the effectiveness of bureaucracies

The Structure of Formal Organizations

Goals and Objectives:

-to explain how bureaucracies are structured

-to evaluate the effectiveness of bureaucracies

Some definitionsSome definitions Formal organization - a large, complex secondary group that has

been established to achieve specific goals Various venues: schools, businesses, government agencies,

religious organizations, youth organizations, political organizations, volunteer associations, labor unions, professional associations

Bureaucracy - ranked authority structure operating according to specific rules and procedures

Why were bureaucracies created - to rationally organize groups to complete a set of goals

Formal organization - a large, complex secondary group that has been established to achieve specific goals

Various venues: schools, businesses, government agencies, religious organizations, youth organizations, political organizations, volunteer associations, labor unions, professional associations

Bureaucracy - ranked authority structure operating according to specific rules and procedures

Why were bureaucracies created - to rationally organize groups to complete a set of goals

Weber’s Model of BureaucraciesWeber’s Model of Bureaucracies German Max Weber developed theoretical model of

bureaucracies

1) Division of labor: work divided among specialists to perform specific duties

2) Ranking of authority: clear-cut lines of responsibility, each individual responsible to a supervisor

3) Employment based on formal qualifications: people are replaceable and hired according to past experience, education, tests

4) Rules and regulations: give exact responsibilities and authority

5) Specific lines of promotion and advancement: employees expect career with organization; clear-cut lines of promotion

German Max Weber developed theoretical model of bureaucracies

1) Division of labor: work divided among specialists to perform specific duties

2) Ranking of authority: clear-cut lines of responsibility, each individual responsible to a supervisor

3) Employment based on formal qualifications: people are replaceable and hired according to past experience, education, tests

4) Rules and regulations: give exact responsibilities and authority

5) Specific lines of promotion and advancement: employees expect career with organization; clear-cut lines of promotion

Relationships in Formal OrganizationsRelationships in Formal Organizations

Are relationships in bureaucracies impersonal? Should they be? Ideally?

What happens in reality? In factories? --squelers, ratbusters,

chiselers

Golf on weekend? If your boss says so…

Are relationships in bureaucracies impersonal? Should they be? Ideally?

What happens in reality? In factories? --squelers, ratbusters,

chiselers

Golf on weekend? If your boss says so…

The effectiveness of bureaucraciesThe effectiveness of bureaucracies Do bureaucracies create order and structure? Do they lose sight of original goals? What happens when you move up the totem pole? Does your

energy lower? Struggle of bureaucratic personality? Red tape syndrome Oligarchies: few people rule many

In Class study: A “random” school system…

Do bureaucracies create order and structure? Do they lose sight of original goals? What happens when you move up the totem pole? Does your

energy lower? Struggle of bureaucratic personality? Red tape syndrome Oligarchies: few people rule many

In Class study: A “random” school system…