Max Weber coined the term “bureaucracy” to describe a mechanistic model of organ
ID: 381149 • Letter: M
Question
Max Weber coined the term “bureaucracy” to describe a mechanistic model of organization. Bureaucracies are typically found in governmental and military organizations. You are taking a job in the government and need to understand bureaucracy and how it differs from more organic organizational models.
Discuss the characteristics of bureaucracy and why this model is typical of government and military organizations.
Also discuss why organic models of organization are successful.
Do you think organic models could work in governments and military? Why or why not?
Explanation / Answer
1. Max Weber outlined some of the major characteristics of bureaucracy which are:
This model of bureaucracy or mechanistic model is typical of government and military organizations because these organizations carry a huge responsibility to serve the nation in the best possible way and thus their formation is based on strict rules, regulations and policies which are essentially laid down to effectively control and govern different economic and political activities.
2. Organic models of organization basically mean the informal structure of the organization. The organic models of organization are successful because
3. No, organic models cannot work in government and military types of organizations because these organizations need high centralization and hierarchical chain of command to execute and control their activities. These types of organization will not be able to perform effectively without framing stiff rules and regulations. Thus, These types of organization cannot survive under formal conditions.