Max Weber's Ideal Bureaucracy

Key Characteristics

1. Division of Labor

• People are trained for specific tasks.
• Examples: Administrative staff vs. Professors.
• Advantages:
  • Expertise development.
  • Increased efficiency in large organizations.
• Disadvantages:
  • Alienation (Conflict Theory).
  • Lack of worker satisfaction.
  • Trained incapacity (loss of big picture).

2. Hierarchy of Organization

• Positions are supervised by higher authority.
• Advantages:
  • Clear command structure.
• Disadvantages:
  • Low-level workers deprived of decision-making power.
  • Responsibility shirking ("just following orders").
  • Hiding mistakes due to lack of interaction across levels.

3. Written Rules and Regulations

• Ensure uniform performance and equal treatment.
• Provide continuity.
• Advantages:
  • Clarity of expectations.
  • Unity and continued structure.
• Disadvantages:
  • Stifles creativity.
  • Too much emphasis on rules can lead to goal displacement.

4. Impersonality

• Activities conducted in an unbiased manner.
• Advantages:
  • Ensures equal treatment.
• Disadvantages:
  • Feelings of alienation.
  • Perception of coldness and discouragement of loyalty.

5. Employment Based on Technical Qualifications

• Based on qualifications, not favoritism.
• Advantages:
  • Reduces discrimination.
• Disadvantages:
  • Decreased ambition if only minimum is done.
  • Peter Principle: Promotion until incompetence.