Bureucracy theory of

Management by Max Weber

A professional nurse are expected to hine the
skills aligned with leading, managing, and
following to meet the organizations mission.
A familiarity with the development of
management thought can be useful to
creating own management styles to meet
their particular needs.
Max Weber (1864 1920) earned the title of
father of organization theory by his
conceptualization of bureucracy with
emphasis on rules instead on individuals and
on competence over favoritsm as the most
efficient basis for organization. He
conceptualized a structure of authority that
would facilitate the accomplishment of the
organizational objectives.
The Theory of Bureaucracy
Developed by Max Weber (1864-1920), a German professor of sociology.
Principle 1:
In a bureaucracy, a managers formal authority derives from the
position he or she holds in the
organization.
Authority - the power to hold people accountable for their
actions and to make decisions in reference to the use of
organizational resources. (Textbook / Contemporary Management -
6th Edition)

In todays business models, this type of theory is not very common.
Nowadays, we see more of an informal authority approach in which
there is personal expertise, technical knowledge, moral worth, and
the ability to lead and to generate commitment from subordinates,
without the use of this absolute power from one individual.

The Theory of Bureaucracy
Developed by Max Weber (1864-1920), a German professor of sociology.
Principle 2:
In a bureaucracy, people should occupy positions because of their
performance, not because of their social standing.
Some organizations and industries are still affected by social
networks in which personal contacts and relations, not job-related
skills, influence hiring and promotional decisions. (Textbook /
Contemporary Management - 6th Edition)

The old ways, of not what you know, but who you know, are still
around in todays society, but it can only get you so far. In todays
business world, what you know and educational knowledge, play a
very important part in moving up the corporate latter and being
able to maintain a managerial position requires the utilization of
staying current on up to date techniques and information.
The Theory of Bureaucracy
Developed by Max Weber (1864-1920), a German professor of sociology.
Principle 3:
The extent of each positions formal authority and task
responsibilities, and its relationship to other positions in the
organization should be clearly specified.
When the task and authority associated with various positions in
the organization are clearly specified, managers and workers know
what is expected of them and what to expect from each other.
(Textbook / Contemporary Management - 6th Edition)

Most organizations should and are clearly defining task and position
responsibilities. Job descriptions should include all facets of an
employee held position. Clarification of ones job expectations is
essential for all five business functions in order to manage and
maintain a high level, and measurable level of success for all
organizations.

The Theory of Bureaucracy
Developed by Max Weber (1864-1920), a German professor of sociology.
Principle 4:
Authority can be exercised effectively in an organization when positions are
arranged hierarchically, so employees know whom to report to and who reports
to them.
Managers must create an organizational hierarchy of authority that makes it
clear who reports to whom and to whom managers and workers should go if
conflicts or problems arise. (Textbook / Contemporary Management - 6th Edition)

Todays business models utilize the initiative factor in which employees are given
the ability to act on their own, without direction from a superior. This
empowerment of employees relieves the stress of constant supervision and
allows supervisors and managers to concentrate more on other administrative
duties. The balance between a vertical and horizontal organizational structure is
more widely used in todays business models.

The Theory of Bureaucracy
Developed by Max Weber (1864-1920), a German professor of sociology.
Principle 5:
Managers must create a well defined system of rules, standard operating
procedures, and norms so that they can effectively control behavior within an
organization.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are specific sets of written instructions
about how to perform a certain aspect of a task. (Textbook / Contemporary
Management - 6th Edition)

Most companies have SOPs and require employees to learn and follow them.
We have seen how in addition to following rules and regulations, many
organizations have allowed for creativity and innovation to supersede the
common way of conducting business where it was once said, rules are rules
and they could never be broken. Guidelines are needed and common sense is
always important, but have an open line of communication to new ideas and
thoughts is essential in todays business society.

Three Types Of Power In An
Organisation
Traditional Power,
Charismatic Power, and
Bureaucratic Power Or Legal Power

6 characteristic of bureucracy
1. A division of labor based upon functional
specialization
2. A well-defined hierarchy of authority
3. A system of rules covering the rights and duties
of positional incumbents
4. A system of procedures for dealing with work
situations
5. Impersonality of interpersonal relations
6. Promotion and selection for employee based
upon technical competencies
Bureaucracy
Hierarchy
Division of Labor
Consistency
Qualification
ProfessionalPrivate Separation
Devotion to Purpose
Advancement / Seniority
Hierarchy Authority and
its flow
subordination
Such a system
offers the
governed the
possibility of
appealing the
decision of a lower
office to its higher
authority (p. 50).
Highest Office
High Office High Office
Low Office Low Office Low Office
Lowest Office Lowest Office Lowest Office Lowest Office
Division of Labor
Specialization
Separation of
roles and
duties
higher
authority [is not]
authorized to
take over the
business of the
lower
(p. 50).
Executive
Operations
Policy &
Planning
Strategic
Planning
Policy
Development
Regional
Management
Special
Projects
Legislative
Relations
Office Staffing Maintenance
Consistency Rules
regulate all
matters
abstractly.
i.e. no one is
special
Management
Duties
The Governed
Not Special
Not Special Not Special
Not Special Not Special Not Special
Not Special Not Special Not Special Not Special
Qualification
Training and
qualification is
the number
one requisite.
How to
manage
How to carry
out duties
Knowledge of
the rules
PhD
Masters Masters
Bachelors Bachelors Bachelors
Associates Associates Associates Associates
Separation of Professional & Private
The bureau
is separate
from the
private
domicile of
the official
(p. 51).
resources
time
Orders filtering
of web surfing
Loves work as a
break from the
family
Always makes
personal calls on
personal cell phone
I certainly DID NOT
use my offices copier
to print these notes
for you
Loves being able
to leave work at
home
Wouldnt even
THINK of stealing
pens
Never uses
photocopier for
own tax forms
Glad s/he doesnt
have to live in this
cubicle
Treats company car
much better than
personal POS
Wouldnt even THINK
of stealing rubber
cleaning gloves
Devotion to Purpose/Duty
Devotion is to
your work and
role, not to
person above
you.
*official+ is not
considered the
personal servant of a
ruler (p. 52).
Devoted to
Bureau
Management
Devoted to
Division
Management
Devoted to
Division
Management
Devoted to
Planning
Devoted to
Policy
Devoted to
Region
Devoted to
Project
Devoted to
Schmoozing
Devoted to
Office
Devoted to
Toilets
Advancement and Seniority
The unspoken
agreement...
1. you hang
around
2. you climb
the ladder
3. you get
taken care of
Salary and
Pension
Promoted here 6
months ago
(and dont know what the
Hell Im doing)
Promoted here
7 years ago
Promoted here
17 years ago
Started here
25 years ago
The Contribution of Max Weber
Championed antipositivism in sociology and study
of public administration.
...but we wont get into that.
Laid the descriptive groundwork for bureaucracy
and the position/role of the state in government, politics
and peoples lives
Ever since then, public administration has studied
what actually happens when you stick human
beings into a bureaucracy.