week 2: bureaucracy 1 foundational theories

Question 1

Bureaucracy:

Answer 1

method of administration organizing numerous people who need to work together in large or complex pubic or private organizations

Question 2

3 things thoerys do

Answer 2

describe, explain, predict

Question 3

describe

Answer 3

Describe events that the theory is trying to explain/ predict
assumptions and generalizations

Question 4

explain

Answer 4

Why something happened/ happening

Question 5

predict

Answer 5

Hypothesis about things that haven’t happened yet
hardest to do

Question 6

some pa thoeries are …

Answer 6

normative – Explain what/how things should be

Question 7

What is Marx’s idea of Bureaucracy as a special interest?

Answer 7

Goal is to increase its power
Individual bureaucrats are motivated by power, status, and prestige

Question 8

Who are Neo-Marxists?

Answer 8

Modern day theorists carrying out and implementing the original theories and ideas of Karl Marx

Question 9

accumulation

Answer 9

foster growth, make profits
Attract economic growth, healthy business environment

Question 10

legitimation

Answer 10

ensure that a challenge to capitalist doesn’t develop

Question 11

max weber

Answer 11

Strict and operation rules within rational behaviour should be in force

Question 12

ideal type bureaucracy

Answer 12

Simplification of common traits

Question 13

Ideal-type bureaucracy and 7 associated facets?

Answer 13

hierarchy, specialization, merit, full-time employment, impersonality, written files, authority as a function of position

Question 14

hierarchy

Answer 14

System of organization ranked division of labour b/w superior and subordinate personnel
creation of upward reporting

Question 15

unity of command is important element of…

Answer 15

hierarchy

Question 16

unity of command

Answer 16

Each position in hierarchy only reports to one supervisor

Question 17

specialization of labour

Answer 17

Responsibilities for each position are defined and clearly allocated
Increase efficiency and effectiveness

Question 18

merit

Answer 18

Recruited in competence rather than personal relationships

Question 19

full time employement

Answer 19

job protection

Question 20

impersonality

Answer 20

Work is based on prescribed impersonal rules
All clients ought to be treated the same

Question 21

written rules

Answer 21

Treat all clients equally, set of rules, and written rationale for their actions

Question 22

authority as a function of position

Answer 22

Power and authority are attached to positions not individuals

Question 23

What are the two main ideas with Robert Merton’s bureaucratic dysfunction?

Answer 23

trained incapacity
goal displacement

Question 24

What is the relevance of Herbert Simon’s critique of Weberian bureaucracy?

Answer 24

Proverbs of administration

Question 25

Structuralist Theorists

Answer 25

People, resources, and facilities are interchangeable parts of a org structure Humans like machines

Question 26

What is Taylor’s scientific management approach?

Answer 26

The “one best way” – efficiency Workers as machines

Question 27

What is Gulick’s POSDCORB?

Answer 27

Planning, organizing, staffing, directing, co-ordinating, reporting and budgeting

Question 28

line functions

Answer 28

About actually producing the functions (i.e., police officers, social workers, garbage

Question 29

staff functions

Answer 29

aid and support line functions (i.e., human resources, IT, legal)

Question 30

humanist theories

Answer 30

Critique of structuralism focuses on human beings rather than supernatural or divine insight

Question 31

Hawthorne effect

Answer 31

To test taylors assumptions

Question 32

What are the outcomes/discoveries of the Hawthornes experiments?

Answer 32

Altered form of supervision Productivity increased when altered form took place Ex. lighting, boss in room, temperature, how to make job better

Question 33

What are the ideas behind Mayo’s theory of group dynamics?

Answer 33

Workers are more responsive to peer pressure over management controls and incentives

Question 34

What is the relevance of Barnard’s view of organizations as cooperative human structures?

Answer 34

Org should be viewed as cooperative human structures rather than machines

Question 35

theory x assumptions

Answer 35

structuralist approach

Question 36

theory y assumptions

Answer 36

human relations approach