Bureaucratic structures rely on four types of authority: 1) those who obey commands, 2) those who benefit from the existing structure, 3) those who participate in and divide functions of the structure, and 4) those ready to perform functions. Bureaucracies bring order, rationality, accountability, and stability to organizations like schools. However, they can also cause delays in decision-making and implementing laws. Max Weber was a pioneer of sociology who defined bureaucracies as having clearly defined positions and hierarchical authority based on qualifications and merit determined by examinations. Bureaucracies train employees to rely strictly on written rules.