Abstract This paper discusses how post-bureaucracy is not the dominant form of organization and contends that what has emerged is a new and different form of bureaucracy. It provides an assessment of the success of the so called 'war on bureaucracy' and how relevant the post-bureaucracy theory is to the contemporary workplace.
From the Paper "The rules in bureaucracy refer to how people should carry out their work. The worker has no discretion over how to do their job, he or she must simply carry out his or her tasks and report to their manager or supervisor. They also refer to the general structure of procedures that govern the system of the company, from who should report to who, who works alongside who and who is privy to certain information. Because of these rules there is no discretion in work and no scope for questioning the judgement of authority. Sub-ordinates simply carry out their tasks in the prescribed fashion and report to their superiors."
Abstract A plethora of literature that focuses on different aspects of bureaucracy resonates the same note of Weber that the hegemony of bureaucracy will not diminish in the future. This paper argues that bureaucracy is an indispensable element in modern social and economic organizations because the principles of organization management are founded on the basic tenet of bureaucracy, what Weber calls rationalization.
An in-depth analysis of the bureaucratic systems of government service operations and the benefits of restructuring the existing system of bureaucracy.
Abstract This paper reports that even though bureaucracy gives an impression of governmental departments like taxation, and welfare, it is actually found in almost every public spheres. Corporations, churches, the military, labor and trade unions, community centers, schools, hospitals all are essentially facilitated by certain bureaucratic components. Most people take them as important part of their lives, though not readily. However the best part of bureaucracy is that it provides a set of rules and procedures to set everything running in a proper order, transparently, and also ensures consistency and fairness acceptable to all. This paper focuses on evaluating the organizational and power structures while emphasizing the need for refurbishing Human Service Organization in Australia on the lines of bureaucratic organizations.
Introduction
Background
The Bureaucracy - Pros and Cons
The Power
Bureaucracy Concerns
Components of an Organization
Restructuring and Reengineering
Conclusion
From the Paper "One of the major administrative foundations for the creation of bureaucracy is the exception principle. Therein only important and complex problems reach the higher ups while trivial routine issues are solved by the people in the lower levels. Programmed decisions are implemented automatically in accordance with the predefined operating procedures and the unusual problems requiring major decisions are routed to the top. This should make the hierarchy more effective. However there are problems related to the delegation and motivation in bureaucracy; delegating authority and power is not an easy task. It requires immense confidence in sub-ordinates and an immaculate efficacy of the system."
Abstract This is a critique of Sally Seldon's books on the promise of representative bureaucracy. Selden's latest book is called The Promise of Representative Bureaucracy: Diversity and Responsiveness in a Government Agency. This critical work consists of seven chapters. The first chapter is called "Bureaucracy As a Representative Institution," and it outlines the purpose and goals of the work and poses a number of questions about diversity in an organizational structure.
Abstract This paper offers an analysis of the reasons why bureaucracy is considered a necessary evil. The paper explores bureaucracy as important to the government and is often considered as an agent for implementing the checks and balances within it. The paper presents arguments about the advantages of bureaucracy and the essential role it plays for the improvement of government service for civil society.
From the Paper "It is evident that bureaucracy is created carrying with it its advantages for the efficient performance of the government. However, the claim that bureaucracy is a "necessary evil" is best expressed from the point of view of the politicians and elected members of the government. Bureaucracy as a necessary evil may also be the opinion of people who had frustrating experiences working with or seeking help from members of the bureaucratic government. Often termed as ?red tape,? bureaucracy, instead of promoting efficiency and organization, may also mean the implementation of unnecessary, overcomplicated, even obstructive, official procedures. These are just few of the examples illustrating bureaucracy as a detriment to the smooth processing of government transactions and activities."
Abstract The author of this paper examines the Roman Catholic Church as a bureaucracy based on Max Weber's theory that modern bureaucracies evolved as a result of the Protestant revolution. The author examines the Roman Catholic church in the light of his own experiences as a Roman Catholic and attempts to show that the church, even though existing long before the Protestant revolution, has all the characteristics of modern bureaucracies.
From the Paper "But informally, doing volunteer work, people often do multiple jobs, based not in descriptions but in availability and simply as to what needs to be done at any point in time. Promotion may be based on who seems most committed or has had a family member affected by the illness rather than upon experience or passing a test, and people volunteering for a walk-a-thon are not 'professionals.' This twofold structure of professionalism and voluntary association for enrichment or pleasure is also true of the International Association of Administrative Professionals and American Bowling Congress. I joined the first organization to make professional and personal contacts in my field, and the second for leisure, and while my membership and role may not be functional, rule-governed, or defined, the leadership of these organizations is bureaucratic."
Abstract This paper examines the dichotomy of public administration and bureaucracy. Is it efficient or inefficient? Does the role of bureaucrat undermine the influence of politicians and, by extension, the democratic process? This paper focuses on bureaucracy as an expression of private and political interests and conflict, rather than an objective, rational organization.
From the Paper "Within the parameters of an economic paradigm, the government can be viewed as a provider of public goods. These public goods range from national security and international trade opportunities to income supplement programs and public utilities. These goods are 'manufactured' by politicians and un-elected public administrators--the bureaucracy--from tax revenues and other government income."
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses democracy versus bureaucracy. According to the paper, the democratic principles expressed by those who inspired the founders of the new democracy called the United States of America, had in mind something much different than the series of bureaus that make up our government today. The paper goes on to say how the struggle over power between bureaucracy and democracy has been debated since democracy began.
From the Paper "Following World War II, with the example of communism taunting them, people in the United States debated whether the government was run by bureaucratic management or profit-and-loss management in the free market. Ludwig von Mises wrote Bureaucracy in 1944, applying his insight concerning economic calculation and his knowledge of the two sides of the equation. He demonstrated in his book that all types of public administration, when run by amateurs, lack the ability to conduct their affairs in an economically rational manner. But he boiled the debate down to whether Capitalism or Socialism was less detrimental to the welfare of the masses."
Abstract This essay discusses how Marx asserts that those who have power and authority are resolved to maintain it. This concept of power and authority relate to that of Max Weber's notion of "bureaucracy" in that Weber saw power growing through rationalization. We see how both Weber and Marx understood power in their own contexts.
Abstract Today's organizations, regardless of their business focus, possess qualities of a bureaucratic nature, including excessive paperwork, red tape, and other challenging bottlenecks that can hinder productivity and performance. Consequently, organizations are often limited in their activities and the potential to produce quality results in a timely fashion. The following references from professional journals discuss this dilemma in detail, both within governmental bodies and within the public sector. It demonstrates that modern bureaucracies can serve as both a blessing and a nightmare, depending on the situation.
From the Paper "An article by Chang and Turnbull (2002) entitled "Bureaucratic behavior in the local public sector: a revealed preference approach" provides an analysis of the popular opinion that bureaucracies are largely influenced by public spending, and although this concept deserves attention, other theories have been developed that contrast this model. According to the authors, "In the US and other countries with strong democratic institutions, however, local government decisions reflect not only bureaucratic preferences, but also the possibly countervailing effects of the voters in the public decision making process" (192). As a result, it should be noted that strongly democratic nations such as the United States are subject to bureaucratic decisions largely based upon voting preferences and opinions. However, regardless of voter preferences, some bureaucracies still function independently of the citizen vote and objections to the consequences of red tape and excessive paperwork. This viewpoint is only one of many that will be presented in the remainder of this discussion."
Abstract This paper discusses how it is often true that simple quotes can capture in a line or two the essence of people things or phenomena. In the case of the Canadian bureaucracy the quote at the top of the last page neatly captures the frustration of one prominent liberal cabinet member with the glacial slowness of Ottawa's multitudes of mandarins. With this in mind the following paper explores the meaning of the quotation and provide the writer's own support or lack thereof for the use of the quote by Reg Whitaker.
From the Paper "Why we can't do X or Y now. Or, why does it take six months, why can't it be done now?" It is often true that simple quotes can capture in a line or two the essence of people, things or phenomena. In the case of the Canadian bureaucracy, the quote at the top of the last page neatly captures the frustration of one prominent liberal cabinet member with the "glacial" slowness of Ottawa's "multitudes of mandarins".
Abstract This paper analyzes and examines Max Weber?s, "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism". The paper goes on to discuss Weber's views concerning bureaucracy and finally examines how capitalism, charisma, and Protestantism affect bureaucracy.
From the paper:
?Although Weber believed that bureaucracy has several advantages, the main one being efficiency in attaining goals, Weber also noted the dysfunctions of bureaucracy in terms of the impact that it had on individuals. For example, while impersonality is important to attaining and maintaining the efficiency of an organization, it is dehumanizing because it views individuals as just another cog in the machine.?
Abstract This paper analyzes and examines the FBI's practices and compares it to Max Weber's theory of bureaucracy. Weber provided a theory regarding model bureaucracy that is utilized by many corporations and individuals today. The FBI is an organization that epitomizes Weber's theory of model bureaucracy. This paper discusses the shortcomings of the FBI and concludes with recommendations for improving the FBI's bureaucracy.
From the Paper "In comparing and contrasting the FBI's goals, objectives, and practices to Weber's model bureaucracy, numerous issues should be examined. First, do the FBI's real objectives differ from its stated goals and principles? Historically, the FBI's stated goals and principles are to ensure national security and serve the public. While the FBI ardently remains committed to pursuing and maintaining these objectives, often times, the FBI becomes so bogged down in bureaucracy that its real objectives become clouded and differ from its stated goals."
An analysis of an article by J.E.Sowa and S.C. Selden, called "Administrative Discretion and Active Representation: An Expansion of the Theory of Representative Bureaucracy."
Abstract This paper examines this article whose purpose is to look at the theory of representative bureaucracy in a slightly different way. Most studies dealing with representative bureaucracy have focused on active representation, but have not looked into the administrative discretion that is often tied to it. It explains how this study seeks not only to discuss the theory of representative bureaucracy, but then move on to administrative discretion and how it is often tied into the active representation of what one does. The main research question is whether administrative discretion and active representation are actually tied together and whether it affects how individuals who are making decisions based on minority status tend to make decisions in favor of those who are of the same race or ethnic background as they are.
From the Paper "The research model that is used is an empirical analysis and is conducted based on a housing loans program and whether individuals who are of minority descent will have a better chance of getting a home loan if the individual who is helping them with the loan is also of their same background. There are several variables in this particular study, with the first one being administrative discretion (Sowa & Selden, 2003). The variables that were chosen were utilized because they were believed that they would affect the behavior of various administrators and this in turn would determine whether decisions that had to do with minority interest would be made by these individuals. The administrative discretion is used in this particular study to see what impact it has on the various policy outcomes that work in favor of minority interest (Sowa & Selden, 2003)."
Abstract This paper examines the dichotomy of public administration and bureaucracy. Is it efficient or inefficient? Does the role of bureaucrats undermine the influence of politicians and, by extension, the democratic process? This paper focuses on bureaucracy as an expression of private and political interests and conflict rather than an objective, rational organization.
