MAX WEBER‟S
IDEAL
BUREAUCRACY
Presented by: Shericka Wilson
WHAT EXACTLY IS
BUREAUCRACY?
 According to Business Dictionary online,
Bureaucracy can be defined as “A system of
administration distinguished by its clear hierarchy
of authority, rigid division of labour, written and
inflexible rules, regulations and procedures and
impersonal relationships.” This is evident in many
of our organizational structures within government.
DISCUSSION
Question 1
 Based on the definition given, please state three
types of organization you know of that operates in
a Bureaucratic manner.
DISCUSSION
Answer 1
Majority government agencies for example:
 The army
 Police force
 Schools
 Churches
 Ministries of state
MAX WEBER
 The Max Weber‟s Theory of Management,
sometimes called Bureaucratic Management
Theory.
 In the late 1800s, Max Weber criticized
organizations for running their businesses like a
family.
 He urged that there should be more formalized
and rigid structures. This is known as „bureaucracy‟
CHARACTERISTICS
OF BUREAUCRACY
There are five namely:
 Division of Labour
 Hierarchy
 Clearly defined Job Function
 Written rules and regulations
 Impersonal
CHARACTERISTICS
OF BUREAUCRACY
Division of Labour
Through specialization, each individual is aware of
what is expected of them which in turn will
increase the overall efficiency of the organization.
No one member is burdened with all the
responsibilities as it is shared amongst each
member.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF BUREAUCRACY
Hierarchy
This represents the clear lines of authority that
enable an individual to know his immediate
supervisor to whom he is directly accountable
(chain of command). It also tells who is in charge
and of what.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF BUREAUCRACY
Clearly defined Job Function
Each individual should have a sound understanding
of their duties within the organization. They should
be au fait with their individual roles from day one.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF BUREAUCRACY
Written rules and regulations
The existence of rules and regulation allows for
uniformity in terms of performance. It also
cushions against succession, hence when a new
member is recruited, the organization and the
individual can adjust almost effortlessly because of
such systems.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF BUREAUCRACY
Impersonal
The performance of an individual is judged
through rule-based activity and promotions are
decided on the basis of one‟s merits and
performance. It should not be a case of who knows
who and who is related to whom.
CONCLUSION

Max Weber’s Ideal Bureaucracy

  • 1.
  • 2.
    WHAT EXACTLY IS BUREAUCRACY? According to Business Dictionary online, Bureaucracy can be defined as “A system of administration distinguished by its clear hierarchy of authority, rigid division of labour, written and inflexible rules, regulations and procedures and impersonal relationships.” This is evident in many of our organizational structures within government.
  • 3.
    DISCUSSION Question 1  Basedon the definition given, please state three types of organization you know of that operates in a Bureaucratic manner.
  • 4.
    DISCUSSION Answer 1 Majority governmentagencies for example:  The army  Police force  Schools  Churches  Ministries of state
  • 6.
    MAX WEBER  TheMax Weber‟s Theory of Management, sometimes called Bureaucratic Management Theory.  In the late 1800s, Max Weber criticized organizations for running their businesses like a family.  He urged that there should be more formalized and rigid structures. This is known as „bureaucracy‟
  • 7.
    CHARACTERISTICS OF BUREAUCRACY There arefive namely:  Division of Labour  Hierarchy  Clearly defined Job Function  Written rules and regulations  Impersonal
  • 8.
    CHARACTERISTICS OF BUREAUCRACY Division ofLabour Through specialization, each individual is aware of what is expected of them which in turn will increase the overall efficiency of the organization. No one member is burdened with all the responsibilities as it is shared amongst each member.
  • 9.
    CHARACTERISTICS OF BUREAUCRACY Hierarchy This representsthe clear lines of authority that enable an individual to know his immediate supervisor to whom he is directly accountable (chain of command). It also tells who is in charge and of what.
  • 10.
    CHARACTERISTICS OF BUREAUCRACY Clearly definedJob Function Each individual should have a sound understanding of their duties within the organization. They should be au fait with their individual roles from day one.
  • 11.
    CHARACTERISTICS OF BUREAUCRACY Written rulesand regulations The existence of rules and regulation allows for uniformity in terms of performance. It also cushions against succession, hence when a new member is recruited, the organization and the individual can adjust almost effortlessly because of such systems.
  • 12.
    CHARACTERISTICS OF BUREAUCRACY Impersonal The performanceof an individual is judged through rule-based activity and promotions are decided on the basis of one‟s merits and performance. It should not be a case of who knows who and who is related to whom.
  • 13.