Understanding Bureaucracy by Max Weber

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Table of Contents

Research question
The role of values
Research design and methods
Conclusion
Works Cited

Max Weber, who was a German scholar, was a known fanatic in the world of classic management theories. He was primarily interested in the reasons that orchestrated the actions of the employees, and the reasons behind the people of an organization accepting the roles accorded by their seniors and complying by them.

This research paper tries to indulge into the concepts that this theory portrays. First we look at the true meaning behind the theory. Weber in his research, made a distinctive analysis on the differences between authority and power.

In his argument, he portrays power as something that induces obedience or the power to accept commands through the art of force which forces the affected individuals to abide by the put rules and regulations (Hunter 154). On a contrary view, Weber portrays an authority as something that the individuals are already acquiesced to when exercised by their superiors.

This concept further looks into three different types of authority as portrayed by Weber. The first of this is the traditional authority which he defines as the authority which is readily acceptable and leaves no particular questions to the individuals since it comes from customs that are deeply set (Shavinina 11). An example of this type of authority is the monarchy.

Weber goes further to unfound a second type of authority which he refers to as the charismatic authority. This type of authority is gained or earned by individuals who exhibit the trust and respect required by their followers. The last type of authority is the rational-legal authority which comes from the main setting of an organization and the persons’ position while in authority.

This particular type of authority is practiced within the set procedural measures and the regulations of the organization in question.

The concept will further look into the major characteristics of bureaucracy. The first of these as coined by Weber is that it is a management by rules. A bureaucracy follows a particular set of rules that must be consistent in controlling the working mandates of an organization.

The hierarchy lower levels of an organization are controlled by the management by invoking regulations in a manner that is predictable and consistent.

The second characteristic is that of the division of labor where the authority and the responsibility are stipulated clearly and sanctioned in an official manner (Carmen 13). The lines of authority and the responsibilities are clearly stipulated in the job description.

The third characteristic as Weber epics is that its hierarchical structure must be formal. The hierarchical setting of an authority must follow a well set chain of command that efficiently disintegrates the lines and subordination of the lower levels to those of the upper level in the hierarchical setting of the organization.

The fourth characteristic is that the personnel hired should be hired based on the competence of their technicalities. Work in a particular organization should be based on the competence and the experience of that particular person.

The art of bureaucracy as defined by Weber has also the characteristic where the managers are salaried officials and own the whole unit of the administration. They control and define responsibilities as specialists (Keelson 17).

The last of the six characteristics as defined by Weber are those of the written documents where the rules and actions taken by the organization should be clearly put on paper, and clearly formulated and recorded.

These written documents will pose as future financial references that will enhance accountability of the organization and this will go a long way in ensuring that there is continuity in the procedures and the policies of the organization.

Research question

The following research is meant to develop an understanding on the notion of bureaucracy as clearly stipulated by Max Weber. In addition, the research is meant to look into perspective on the inward meaning of the values and core mandate on the word or the art of bureaucracy. The research will therefore evaluate on the intensity of Weber’s findings and ascertain a clear understanding on the matter.

The role of values

The role of values that fall behind the shaping of the research questions is through the notion that was formulated by Weber in his explicit indulgence on the matter. The values are orchestrated based on the art behind the theoretical explanation of the term Bureaucracy.

Research design and methods

The research method and design used by the research falls primarily on the law of presentation. The researchers emphasized mostly on the notions that had been put by other researches in the past and undertook a complicit comparison and contrasting on the theory stipulated by Weber to gauge on the accuracy of his theory.

The points stipulated in the past events were put down or rather written down on paper together with those of Weber and through an observation test the results were formulated where it rated positively on accuracy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the research found out that the art of bureaucracy as stipulated by Weber bases its view primarily on the law of logic and the ration that gains ground through qualified specialists and well trained personnel. It offers a stable and definite hierarchical structure for a particular organization. Albeit this, the extent of the limitations of the theory needs a more concrete research.

Works Cited

Carmen, Reinhart. Max Weber Bureaucracy Theory. New York, NY: Princeton University Press, 2009. Print.

Hunter, Muller. Max Weber: On Bureaucracy. Journal on Bureaucracy, 19, 2 (2010): 153-166. Print.

Keelson, Gerald. Weber’s bureaucratic view. London: Cengage Learning, 2007. Print.

Shavinina, Larisa. Bureaucratic form according to Max Weber. London: Kidlingdon, 2003. Print.

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