Chapter 5- The Dynamics of Bureaucracy

Question 1

organization

Answer 1

the assembly of knowledge, power (authority), and will to accomplish chosen purposes

Question 2

bureaucracy is a form of organization that (4)

Answer 2

is large enough that its top managers cannot have a direct relationship with all their employees
is sufficiently specialized as to require a precise division of labor
consists of a hierarchical chain of command from the top executive down to the lowest ranking employee
operates by consistent rules and procedures

Question 3

original purpose of bureaucracies

Answer 3

they are the most efficient, rational and stable system to carry out an organization’s goals

Question 4

modern purpose of bureaucracies

Answer 4

that a group of permanent, organized professionals and specialists were better at achieving goals than elected official or others who don’t possess specialized knowledge. This was a fundamental change in the mid 20th century

Question 5

original view on how government can be great

Answer 5

government effectiveness was traditionally viewed solely from a technical standpoint- was it properly organized, trained, paid, etc.

Question 6

human relations perspective (1980s)

Answer 6

takes into account the effect of social relationships and employee attitudes on the organization’s productivity

Question 7

human relations perspective goals (7)

Answer 7

clearly identifying the organization’s overall goals and how each employee fits in the big picture
giving employees a greater role in decision making
great communication with employees
respect and recognition given to the employees
physical condition and location of their workplace
how employees relate to each other
enjoyment and good morale of employees in the workplace

Question 8

organizational culture

Answer 8

how and why the organization and its’ employees do what they do- and what the place feels like

Question 9

four motivations for public administrators

Answer 9

good samaritans
communitarians
patriots
humanitarians

Question 10

good samaritans

Answer 10

want to help the less fortunate in society

Question 11

communitarians

Answer 11

want to help communities, in general

Question 12

patriots

Answer 12

who have a strong sense of public duty or national pride

Question 13

humanitarians

Answer 13

committed to social justice and fairness

Question 14

what makes a public administrator great?

Answer 14

they care about what they’re doing

Question 15

principles of reinventing government (8)

Answer 15

1. emphasize results rather than process
2. simplify rules and empower administrators to use best judgement
3. empower employees to have a greater say in organization
4. use market style competition to get the best services at the lowest cost
5. prevent problems through foresight (proactive rather than reactive)
6. focus on the needs of customers/ citizens, rather than the needs of the organization
7. empower citizens to get involved and be a part of decisions/ solutions
8. seek continuous innovation and improvement