Weber Management

Bureaucratic Management Theory by Max Weber

Bureaucratic management theory developed by Max Weber, contained two essential elements, including structuring an organization into a hierarchy and having clearly defined rules to help govern an organization and its members.

Max Weber (1864-1920), a German sociologist; he described a theory to operate an organization in an effective way which is known as the Bureaucratic management approach or Weberian bureaucracy.

Max Weber’s work was oftentimes interpreted as a caricature of modern bureaucracies with all of their shortcomings.

But it was more than that. Weber’s work was indented for displacing the old organizational structures of the industrialization period.

According to Max Weber, Bureaucratic management approach emphasized the necessity of organizations to operate in a rational way instead of following the “arbitrary whims” or irrational emotions and intentions of owners and managers.

He found different characteristics in bureaucracies that would effectively conduct decision-making, controlling resources, protecting workers and accomplishment of organizational goals. Max Weber described 6(six) principles of Bureaucratic management approach.

6 Principles of Bureaucratic Management Approach

1. Proper Division of Labor

Division of labor specialization should be fixed and there should be a balance between power and responsibilities.

2. Chain of Command

The chain of command or organizational hierarchy should be constructed in a way that information related to decision and works can flow effectively from top to bottom.

3. Separation of personal and official property

Owners and organization’s assets are separate and can to be treated as same by the owner or the organization.

4. Application of Consistent and Complete Rules

There should be proper rules and regulations in the organization for running the organization.

These rules should be followed in every step of the organization and they are equally applicable to every member of the organization.

5. Selection and Promotion Based on Qualifications

The selection and promotion of workers should be based on equalization’s like; skills, experience, age. It should not be influenced by personal relations and benefits.

6. Training in job requirements and skills

There is a difference between management and other parts of organization and training and improving skills of management is important.

Features of Bureaucratic Organization

From the principles of bureaucratic organization, we can find these characteristics or features of Bureaucratic Organization are as follows:-

• The high degree of Division of Labor and Specialization.
• There is a well-defined chain of command.
• It follows the principle of Rationality, Objectively and Consistency.
• The relationship among the member of the organization is Formal and Impersonal relations. And it’s based on positions and not on personalities.
• Rules and Regulations are well defined and it indicates the duties and rights of the employees. These rules apply to everyone from to bottom of the organization and must be strictly followed.
• Selection and Promotion are based on Technical qualifications.
• Only Bureaucratic or legal power is given importance.