what are the characteristics of bureaucracies
what are the characteristics of bureaucracies

What are the characteristics of bureaucracies? First of all let’s understand what the terminology ‘Bureaucracy‘, really means; According to German socialist and founder of bureaucracy Max Webber. He came up with this term to define large administrative well-structured organizations, dealing with businesses and concerned with executing government duties through administration and management. Bureaucratic principles outlined in most articles have helped these bureaucratic organizations, to properly carry out duties at the national, state, and even local levels of society.

What are the characteristics of bureaucracies? Find answers below to the top-six key characteristics of bureaucracy, the definition and structure outlined below, which explains the main characteristics of bureaucracies. Here are six characteristics of bureaucracy by Max Weber

1. Hierarchy

Hierarchy is a type of system that shows arrangements or departments from above and below. These can also be at the same level, giving or receiving instructions. Hierarchy allows employees to understand and follow the chain of command from top to bottom.

Serves as an important decision, making points with reference to who has more legitimate authority. Managers and administrators need hierarchy in order to effectively carry out their duties. Another important reason companies need hierarchy is that it helps managers to hold employees accountable.

2. Job Specialization

Job specialization is defined as a process and knowledge employees gain through education, training, and experience to enable them to become professionals at on particular job. It is important in an organization because it provides skilled workers who are able to fulfill their daily activities.

3. Division of Labor

Division of labor is important and essential for economic progress. Promotes efficiency and effectiveness in an organization and reduces the total cost of products due to its element of specialization. Each employee has a specific task and target hence enhancing productivity and promoting efficiency by dividing separate tasks and responsibilities.

4. Procedures 

Procedures are important to any organization and its processes. They can be in form of policies and together provide direction for daily operations. In the United States, bureaucrats help the senate in policymaking, reforms, and monitoring. Procedures enhance good conduct in an organization, regulate employee performance, provide terms of service and improve decision making while boosting internal processes.

Organizational and workplace procedures outline key specific required action plans among employees. Workplace procedures and policies are very important for informing employees process on how to handle certain issues and compliance measures.

5. Recruitment on merit

The recruitment on merit process consistently applied in an organization increases professionalism. It’s a notion that promotes fairness, brings about diversity, and demands integrity among managers in their duties.

Recruitment based on merit means decisions to employ and selection must be solely based on qualification criteria. This produces a good system more efficient, human resource managers in executing their respective roles must advocate for reduced bias through the effective process, fairness, and an open structure with dedicated employees.

6. Fairness

Bureaucracy brings about exemplary impartial and just treatment among employees. Through bureaucracy, people’s behavior and conduct is regulated without favoritism. TODAY on what are the characteristics of bureaucracies, fairness in the bureaucratic process is important because it reduces discrimination by treating each individual in a similar manner. The same rules and punishment apply to everyone, despite their position and status.

Characteristics of Bureaucracies (YouTube Video)

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