Function and Dysfunction of Weberian Bureaucracy

Max Weber
(1864-1920)

Bureaucracy is an organizational model that includes many departments and divisions administered by a lot of people according to rules and regulations. The structure focuses on division of work hierarchy competence, discipline, and specialization. Actually, it is hard to define bureaucracy in a specific way because of its diversified nature. The definition of bureaucracy varies to the country to country, man to man. The bureaucracy of government reflects the particular society and its norms. 

Bureaucracy has grown by the development of economics. Development of economy demands the process of industrialization and establishment of an organization. Employment of large officials demanded the birth of bureaucracy.

Max Weberian Bureaucracy

Max weber presents the ideal form of bureaucracy analyzing the concept of authority and power. An authority which is an important phenomenon in today’s world has three classifications according to Weber.

• Traditional: Traditional authority means the authority on basis of social customs and norms.
• Charismatic: Charismatic power is the potential to influence other by one’s competency gained by birth. It snatches audience’s obedience.
• Legal Authority: In an organization hierarchy under legal national authority limits a person’s decision making power.

Functions of Max Weber’s Bureaucracy

Fixed official jurisdiction: 

This function refers to the division of work. Work should be divided among the employees according to their skills and efficiency. It rubs the organization smoothly.

Specialization: 

There are many departments in an organization. The work should be specific in every department. Activities will not be same in all departments. Specialized employees actually take the organization towards success.

Hierarchy: 

Hierarchy is the structure of practicing authority. The subordinates are bounded to obey the order or instructions of superiors.

Rules and Regulations: 

Every organization included some formal or written rules and regulations that are must be maintained by all related to the organization. All members are bounded to obey the rules and regulation of organization.

Competence: 

Members of an organization are required on the basis of merit and technical competency. References are not allowed and competence employees run an organization effectively.

Impersonality: 

A person is not focused here. Organizational post or position is more focused. Position or post gives authority of decision making. A decision remains the same rather than the person.

Established norms and conducts:

Informal rules and regulations specified as a tradition in an organization. These rules are unwritten. Everyone obey these rules as basic norms or custom.

Maintenance of Records and Files: 

Documents of an organization are needed to store official purposes and calculation of loss, profit, actions and consequences to run it properly and gain the purpose.

 👉    Dysfunctions of Bureaucracy