Is It Possible to Build Better Bureaucracies?
Is it possible to build better bureaucracies?
Introduction
The conception of bureaucracy is one of the most dominant notions in both organization theory and social science. It plays a significant role in modern society. (Clawson, 1980) Ever since the basic characteristics of bureaucracy were formulated by Max Weber, it has been suffered from derogatory remarks and harsh criticism and from various perspectives. For example, feminists such as Kathy Fergusson (1984), liberals such as Mills (1951), Marxist writers such as Dan Clawson (1980), management researcher such as Michel Crozier (1964), Austrian economists such as Ludwig von Mises (1944), they all expressed critiques on bureaucracy. (Styhre and Börjesson, 2006) Various studies are trying to develop a creative way for minimize the problem of bureaucracy.
Therefore, this essay aims to examine the possibility for building better bureaucracies. Following this, the next section will include a basic review of bureaucracy and the criticism on it. After that, the possibility for better bureaucracies will be examined from two aspects. Firstly is the nature of the problems in bureaucracies. Secondly is the feasibility of dealing with bureaucratic problem while retain bureaucratic characteristics. Finally, this essay will provide evaluation of above assumption with examples analysis. Conclusion will be made to define the possibility of building a better bureaucracy.
Basic review of problems in bureaucracy
Max Weber was the earliest one who put forward bureaucracy, and defined it as a particular model of organization based upon the characteristics of hierarchy, functional specialization, rules, and impersonality. (Grey, 2012) Bureaucracy explicitly established standard operating procedures, areas of expertise, work descriptions and roles, and so on. (Styhre and Börjesson, 2006) Therefore theoretically speaking, the dominant advantage of bureaucracy is that it conducive complex and large scale organization to operate
Introduction
The conception of bureaucracy is one of the most dominant notions in both organization theory and social science. It plays a significant role in modern society. (Clawson, 1980) Ever since the basic characteristics of bureaucracy were formulated by Max Weber, it has been suffered from derogatory remarks and harsh criticism and from various perspectives. For example, feminists such as Kathy Fergusson (1984), liberals such as Mills (1951), Marxist writers such as Dan Clawson (1980), management researcher such as Michel Crozier (1964), Austrian economists such as Ludwig von Mises (1944), they all expressed critiques on bureaucracy. (Styhre and Börjesson, 2006) Various studies are trying to develop a creative way for minimize the problem of bureaucracy.
Therefore, this essay aims to examine the possibility for building better bureaucracies. Following this, the next section will include a basic review of bureaucracy and the criticism on it. After that, the possibility for better bureaucracies will be examined from two aspects. Firstly is the nature of the problems in bureaucracies. Secondly is the feasibility of dealing with bureaucratic problem while retain bureaucratic characteristics. Finally, this essay will provide evaluation of above assumption with examples analysis. Conclusion will be made to define the possibility of building a better bureaucracy.
Basic review of problems in bureaucracy
Max Weber was the earliest one who put forward bureaucracy, and defined it as a particular model of organization based upon the characteristics of hierarchy, functional specialization, rules, and impersonality. (Grey, 2012) Bureaucracy explicitly established standard operating procedures, areas of expertise, work descriptions and roles, and so on. (Styhre and Börjesson, 2006) Therefore theoretically speaking, the dominant advantage of bureaucracy is that it conducive complex and large scale organization to operate