Bureaucracy - Essay Example

Bureaucracy A bureaucracy is a large group of people who run a government but are not elected. It also de s a way of administratively organizing a large number of people who need to work together (Merz 35). Many organizations operate in a bureaucratic way, both in the public and private sectors. The first classic feature of an ideal type of bureaucracy is the formal hierarchical structure where each level controls that which is below it. This is the basis of central planning and centralized decision-making.

Second, management by rules ensures that individuals at lower levels execute decisions made by those who are in a rank above them. Third, organization by functional specialty involves specialist who perform and organize work into units based on their skills. Fourth, an “up-focused” mission implies the organization’s purpose to serve the stockholders, the board or whatever agency that empowers it. Finally, purposely impersonal ensures equal treatment of every employee, as well as customers without influence by individual differences.

Bureaucracy as a system also has its disadvantages, which include low morale due to specialization, because of repetition the job becomes boring. Second, the absence of maneuverability due to many set procedures and avenues to be followed for every process. This leaves no possibility for maneuvering. Third, companies that employ bureaucratic structures run the risk of becoming irrelevant because of lack of innovation. Key among the demerits is the issue relating to low morale due to specialization since it affects many institutions in a major way.

One of the most frustrating experience that I encountered was working in a bureaucratic organization with set systems of operation. The organization offered little room for growth and self-development. There is often much negativity surrounding bureaucracy and bureaucrats. Many people view them as undemocratic and self-centred. Moreover, people do not approve of this system of organizational leadership. Being a bureaucrat requires someone who is willing to join the system and play by the rules.

It also makes one prone to selfish acts of corruption. Therefore, I would not want to be one. Work Cited Merz, Felix. Max Webers Theory of Bureaucracy and Its Negative Consequences. München: GRIN Verlag GmbH, 2011. Print.