ADS 460 – MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

AND PRACTICES

Lecturer’s Name:
Name:
Student No:
Question:
Explain any 2 principles of Bureaucracy Theory as proposed by Max Weber.
(10 marks)

Answers:
Max Weber was a German sociologist, who was a pioneer in the field of Bureaucracy
theory of management, which is the foundation of management in many of the
government and military organization in the world today. He was keen to understand
the ways in which industrialization affected society. He was concerned about the
importance of authority in any social structure.

Bureaucracy theory is based on strict rules and expert authority guidance which he
believe would improve the efficiency of the organization’s performance. This system
of management avoids biases and made the job description very clear to everyone in
the organizational hierarchy.

Features of Bureaucracy Structure

Division of labor Complex work broken down into simple jobs.
Accepted chain of command to direct
Hierarchy of authority individual’s effort towards organization goal
accomplishment.
Framework of rules Effort directed and coordinated by rules.
Hiring and promoting people on the basis of
objective merit rather than favouritism (on the
Impersonality
basis of what they know, and not who the
know)
Technical competence members selected
Formal selection accordingly on the basis of training,
qualification, education etc.

Max Webber Theory:

1. An “up-focused” or “in-focused” mission.
According to this principle, there are two types of missions. An “up-focused”
mission is the mission in which the sole purpose is to serve the stockholders, the
board running the organization and the agencies which support the organization.
If the mission is “in-focused”, then the sole mission is to serve the goals and
objectives of the organization itself and people inside the organization.

2. Equality.
This principle focuses on the equality of all the employees who are judged by the
rules, regulations, and rights of the employees set by the organization. So there

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 are no unfair biases and favouritism in the organization. This will provide a sense
of fair judgement and uniform treatment to all.

3. Formal Rules and Norms.

This principle of bureaucracy management implies the need for strict rules and
regulations to be followed by the various level of management in an
organization. By this principle, the company can maintain a level of discipline to
keep the laborers in check and to bring the best out of them. This helps in the
execution of the decisions in the most suitable manner.

4. Formal Hierarchy Structure.

The concept of this principle is that there should be a centralization of power in
terms of planning and decision making in the organization. The rules and
regulations must be strictly followed and the subordinate must be accountable to
the immediate supervisor. There must be a well-defined hierarchy of authority
with clear lines of authority and control concentrated at the top. Each level of
management should be controlled by the level of management above it in the
hierarchy and they should control the lower management below them. This will
help the organization to proceed in a single direction.

5. Specialization
The organization can be divided into many departments and units based on their
function. These departments are led by experts and specialists. So there is a
high degree of job specialization in the employees and the management. This
will help the organization to achieve high efficiency in its operation.

6. Recruitment Based on Abilities and Qualification.

This principle defines that a manager is fairly recruited on the basis of the skills
and technical ability to lead the employees to handle the position. There is no
preferential treatment for any candidate due to personal relations or links. This
leads to developing functional expertise in the organization and improve the
quality of the operation.

7. Systematic Filling
In a bureaucracy system, there is written recorded documents of each and every
operation and activity of the organization. These written documents are the
permanent record of the operations and act as legal papers as well as future
references for the company.

In conclusion, Max Webber believe that the bureaucratic structure of management is

the most rational and logical form of management which would make an organization
highly efficient and successful.

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References:

1. The Concept of Bureaucracy by Max Weber -

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330474921_The_Concept_of_Bureauc
racy_by_Ma x_Weber

2. Max Weber’s Bureaucracy Theory -

https://www.kullabs.com/classes/subjects/units/lessons/notes/note-detail/5329

3. Bureaucratic Theory by Max Weber -

https://www.toppr.com/guides/fundamentals-of-economics-and-
management/evolution-of-management-thought/bureaucratic-theory-by-max-
weber/

4. Max Weber and the Theory of Bureaucracy the term bureaucracy was coined by
German sociologist Max Weber - https://slideplayer.com/slide/9588430/