Presentation on Max Weber's Bureaucracy

1. MAX WEBER‟S
IDEAL
BUREAUCRACY
Presented by: Shericka Wilson

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
 Based on the definition given, please state three
types of organization you know of that operates in
a Bureaucratic manner.

4. DISCUSSION
Answer 1
Majority government agencies for example:
 The army
 Police force
 Schools
 Churches
 Ministries of state

6. 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‟

7. CHARACTERISTICS
OF BUREAUCRACY
There are five namely:
 Division of Labour
 Hierarchy
 Clearly defined Job Function
 Written rules and regulations
 Impersonal

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. CONCLUSION