Bureaucratization

The bureaucracy (from the French bureau - the office and the Greek kratos - the authority denoting the authority of officials) is a management system in which the administrative apparatus is of decisive importance. This phenomenon arose with the appearance of the first forms of statehood, ie from antiquity, but the term came to use in France in the eighteenth century. The term also means a group of people dealing professionally and payably with the organization of offices and institutions and administration. A characteristic feature of the bureaucracy is the replacement of the authority of tradition and people with formalized principles.

Nowadays the term bureaucracy has a pejorative meaning, because it is often associated with bureaucratization. At present, it means inefficient and ineffective actions of the administration and offices, their sluggishness in dealing with issues or excessive formalization. There is excessive rationalization in the decision-making process, which is referred to as the negative power of bureaucracy. Due to the fact that the bureaucracy can not adapt to constant changes, this type of organization should not be used in small entities. In addition, the efficiency of overly bureaucratic systems is relatively low. Despite criticizing the bureaucracy of the organization, its use in large organizations using routine technologies brings clear benefits.

Currently, the term is used in the following meanings

• bureaucratism - pathology of formal organization; overstepping of formalities in the activities of offices; deviations from the binding rules that exist in the functioning of the entire institution
• bureaucratization - power detached from social needs and imposing conflicting decisions with the interests of society; deviations from the rules in force in the behavior of people employed in the organization
• bureaucracy as a layer of administrative officers; the rules, norms, organization and assumptions of the functioning and existence of the institute are considered

Model of Weber bureaucracy

An extensive definition of bureaucracy was formulated by the German sociologist Max Weber (1947). The organization is the more effective the closer it is to the ideal bureaucracy model. In contrast to today's significance, the Weberian bureaucracy was an alternative to widespread nepotism and abuse of power, a system of changing employees with average abilities in rational persons who serve their clients impartially and efficiently. An important feature of perfect bureaucracy is rationality, which results from designing to perform specific functions.

Three models of bureaucracy

The starting point for Weber in his considerations was the issue of power. Based on the above criterion, he distinguished three models of bureaucracy:

• legalnational (classic)
• charismatic
• traditional

Features of perfect (classic) bureaucracy

• Hierarchicity - a bureaucratic organization is created on a hierarchy basis, i.e. an official is subordinate to the decisions of the superior
• Impersonality (as the basis for action) - an official can not act beyond his rights and obligations determined by legal norms that regulate their division
• Depersonalization - an official has a certain authority, which a citizen should submit to, does not result from his personal qualities but from the privileges granted to him, as this is his basic and permanent occupation
• Formal qualifications (basis for employment and promotion) - on the basis of this principle, recruitments for managerial positions are held, promotions and salaries are regulated by legal norms
• Specialization and division of labor - the action of officials is regulated by means of appropriate legal norms, there is a precise division of tasks and powers
• Effectiveness - guaranteed by a high level of specialization, professional qualifications of officials and depersonalization of their activities
• Meritocracy - dependence of career in bureaucracy on achievements
• Communication takes place in a written form

Sources of bureaucracy

• External to the organization, associated with such manifestations of social life as religion, army, legislation, education, etc.
• Within the organization, associated with such processes as organizing, planning, financing, etc.
• Related to the size of the institution
• Connected with the personality of the acting
• The character of cultural norms in force in a given society
• Education system,
• Political system
• Other

Dysfunction of bureaucracy

The following bureaucratic dysfunctions are distinguished (sometimes referred to as bureaucracy):

• Routine and lack of flexibility in the operation of employees
• Excessive conformism
• Difficulties in reacting to unusual situations that have not been included in the applicable regulations
• Maintaining the developed structures in an unchanged shape
• Dehumanization of interpersonal relations, the gap between officials and stakeholders
• Abuse of power by an official
• Conflicts between experts (based on knowledge) and officials (based on the organizational hierarchy)
• Stiff structure, problem with implementing innovations and responding to changes
• Movement of goals
  • Compliance with regulations becomes more important than achieving the goals set by the organization
  • The organization focuses on its own functioning, instead of providing services
  • The organization starts looking for new goals because the ones to which it was established are implemented
• Professional psychosis - units as a result of routine activities begin to create prejudices and dislikes
• Formation of informal groups influencing the functioning of the organization (mainly in the field of gaining power and implementing specific interests)
• Parkinson's Law - performing tasks as late as possible
• Peter's rule - promotion to the level of lack of competence in the position
• Learned ineptitude - proven skills in the past cause an inappropriate reaction in changed conditions
• A bureaucratic vicious circle - a mechanism based on positive feedback; the management of the institution, deciding on reducing bureaucracy, increases it

Examples of Bureaucratization

• Bureaucratization of Government: The most obvious example of bureaucratization is in the governments of the world. Governments have become increasingly bureaucratic over time, with agencies, departments, and regulations, all managed by a group of appointed and elected officials. Governments employ a vast number of bureaucrats to manage the various aspects of running the country.
• Bureaucratization of Businesses: Businesses of all sizes have also been subject to bureaucratization. Companies have adopted bureaucratic structures to ensure the efficient and effective management of their activities. This often includes the creation of departments, divisions, and teams, all of which are managed by a hierarchical system of authority.
• Bureaucratization of Education: Schools and universities have also become increasingly bureaucratic over time. This is largely due to the need for efficient management of the educational system and its various processes. Schools employ a team of bureaucrats to manage the various aspects of the school, such as admissions, curriculum, and student services. Universities also employ a large number of bureaucrats to manage the various aspects of the university, such as research, teaching, and administration.

Advantages of Bureaucratization

Bureaucratization is a process of organizing government and private institutions in a hierarchical structure. This process has several advantages that make it the preferred system for many organizations. These advantages are:

• Increased efficiency: Bureaucratization enables organizations to streamline their processes and procedures to become more efficient. This is done by simplifying the decision-making process, eliminating unnecessary steps, and by providing clear guidelines to employees.
• Reduced costs: By streamlining processes and procedures, bureaucratization also reduces costs associated with running an organization. This includes reducing the number of personnel needed, as well as reducing the amount of time needed to complete tasks.
• Standardization: Bureaucratization also ensures that the same standards are applied to all employees and departments. This includes uniformity in terms of how tasks are performed and how decisions are made.
• Improved accountability: Bureaucratization makes it easier to track and monitor the performance of employees, as well as to ensure that all tasks are completed in a timely and accurate manner. This helps to ensure that the organization is running smoothly and efficiently.
• Increased transparency: By creating a hierarchical structure, bureaucratization also increases the transparency of the organization, allowing for greater public knowledge of the organization's processes and procedures. This can help to build trust in the organization and its services.

Limitations of Bureaucratization

Bureaucratization is the process of organizing an institution or organization into a hierarchy of employees with strictly delineated roles and responsibilities. Although bureaucratization can be an effective way of streamlining decision-making, it can also lead to inefficiency and inflexibility. The following are some of the limitations of bureaucratization:

• Lack of Motivation: Bureaucratization can lead to a lack of motivation among employees, as they are often required to follow strict rules and regulations. This can lead to a sense of apathy among employees, as they feel their work is not valued or appreciated.
• Inefficiency: Bureaucratization can lead to an inefficient system of decision-making, as each step in the process must be performed in a specific order. This can lead to delays in the completion of tasks, causing frustration and inefficiency.
• Inflexibility: Bureaucratization can also lead to inflexibility, as decisions must be adhered to, even in the face of changing conditions. This can lead to an inability to adapt to changing circumstances, resulting in a lack of innovation and progress.
• Excessive Regulations: Bureaucratization can lead to an excessive number of regulations and rules, which can be difficult to navigate. This can lead to confusion and frustration among employees, as they must constantly refer to the regulations in order to make decisions.

Overall, bureaucratization can be beneficial in streamlining decision-making, but can also have a number of negative implications, such as lack of motivation, inefficiency, inflexibility and excessive regulations.

Other approaches related to Bureaucratization

Bureaucratization is a complex phenomenon which can be studied from different perspectives. In addition to the traditional view of bureaucracy as a system of management and administrative apparatus, other approaches include:

• the Weberian approach, which views bureaucracy as the ideal form of organizing large organizations and as a means of increasing efficiency;
• the Marxist approach, which considers bureaucracy as a tool of oppression and exploitation of the working class;
• the Feminist approach, which sees bureaucracy as a tool of patriarchal oppression and domination of women;
• the Post-structural approach, which sees bureaucracy as a form of control that shapes our identities, beliefs and behaviours.

In sum, bureaucracy is a complex phenomenon which can be studied from a variety of perspectives. Each of these approaches provides a different perspective on the nature, function and implications of bureaucracy.

Bureaucratization — recommended articles

Characteristics of bureaucracy — Importance of teamwork — Bureaucratic leadership — Principles and features of organizational structure — Grouping of posts — Mary Parker Follett — Power distance — Informal groups — Theory of management

References

• Fiss, O. M. (1983). The bureaucratization of the judiciary. The Yale Law Journal, 92(8), 1442-1468.
• Ritzer, G. (1975). Professionalization, bureaucratization and rationalization: The views of Max Weber. Social Forces, 53(4), 627-634.
• Eisenstadt, S. N. (1958). Bureaucracy and bureaucratization. Current Sociology, 7(2), 99-124.