Max Weber’s Bureaucratic Management

Question 1

Who designed the 6 principles of bureaucracy?

Answer 1

German sociologist Max Weber

Question 2

Why were the 6 principles designed?

Answer 2

To improve productivity through a bureaucratic approach meaning an organisational structure with formality and impersonality in its operations

Question 3

The 6 Principles are…

Answer 3

Task specialisation
Formal selection
Impersonal (impersonality and personal difference)
Hierarchical layers of authority
Rules and regulations
Career orientation

Question 4

Task specialisation means…

Answer 4

All business tasks should be divided among employees to allow for specialisation

Question 5

Advantages of task specialisation is…

Answer 5

Reduces mistakes, saves time and brings smoothness to production

Question 6

Formal selection means…

Answer 6

Selecting candidates based on skills and qualifications to ensure the right person gets the right job

Question 7

Advantage to formal selection is…

Answer 7

Quality employees are essential for better performance and productivity and fair selection will increase motivation

Question 8

Impersonal relationships means…

Answer 8

Relationships between managers and employees should remain professional to eliminate nepotism in the workplace

Question 9

Advantage of impersonal relationships is…

Answer 9

It creates harmony p, employee satisfaction and peace in the workplace

Question 10

Hierarchical layers of authority means…

Answer 10

Top layers of hierarchy have power over lower levels. This gives a clear picture of the division of authority and responsibilities

Question 11

Advantages to hierarchical layers of authority is…

Answer 11

Clear hierarchical structure will lessen confusion of employees which will increase efficiency.
Also allows communication to flow smoothly through the business

Question 12

Rules and regulations means…

Answer 12

Must be followed without any fault which ensures uniformity and that staff know what’s expected of them

Question 13

Advantage to rules and regulations is…

Answer 13

Allows better coordination of employee performance and efforts, thus increasing overall output of the business

Question 14

Career orientation means…

Answer 14

There should be career growth options for employees

Question 15

Advantages to career orientation is…

Answer 15

Improved living standards, provide job security and apply a suitable performance appraisal system

Question 16

Disadvantages to Weber’s 6 principles of bureaucracy are… x4

Answer 16

Rules mean org cannot benefit from employees ideas, could miss out on competitive edge.
Kills creativity in workers due to specialisation and creates frustrations which demotivated staff. This increases absenteeism.
Don’t develop belongingness which means if employees aren’t paid competitive wages, they may feel undervalued which increases turnover.
Authoritative structure in orgs may result in employee stress and conflict with management. This causes resistance to change and poor employee relations. Could also result in industrial action giving the business a bad reputation. This bad reputation could cause difficulty in the future when looking for staff.