1. Bureaucracies
Soc 111
Fall 2008

2. “It’s the bureaucracy!”
orleans-trudging-through- bureaucracy/

3. Bureaucracies Familiar aspects of modern life Often used disparagingly
Typically associated with government
“Bloated government”

4. Likely to work in a bureaucracy
Habitat for Humanity is a bureaucracy
Most private companies are bureaucracies
Walmart, General Motors, AT&T
hospitals, colleges, banks, grocery stores

5. What is a bureaucracy?
New social organization that emerged as capitalism began to mature
Only existed for a little over 100 years
Cited as one of indicators of modernity
Max Weber’s classic study of bureaucracy still cited

6. Characteristics of Bureaucracies
Variations but 5 features common to all bureaucracies
1) Clear levels
Assignments flow downward
Responsibility flows upward

7. More characteristics 2) Division of labor 3) Written rules
Tasks are assigned to people who have been trained to do them
Each worker is assigned to a specific task coordinated to fulfill the purpose of the organization
3) Written rules
Clear procedures followed by all

8. Other characteristics
4) Written communication/records
Document trail of operations, purchases
Workers spent considerable time engaged in documentation
5) Impersonality
Importance of office not individual
Position exists regardless of who occupies it

9. Drawbacks and benefits
“Red tape” impedes efficiency
Can immobilize
Alienation
“cog in the machine”
Cut off from the larger product
Increases efficiency
Fordism
Reduces favoritism
Loyalty to organization rather than individual who hired you
Increases chances of being hired based on merits