Max Weber developed one of the earliest theories of bureaucracy in the late 19th century. Some key aspects of Weber's bureaucracy theory that remain valid today include hierarchical structures with clear lines of authority, specialist roles for administrators, and appointment/promotion based on merit and qualifications. However, some of Weber's views are no longer compatible with modern public administration, such as an emphasis on rigid adherence to rules without consideration of outcomes. Overall, while some of Weber's theory of bureaucracy is still practiced, some aspects need updating to reflect changes in administrative contexts.
Max Weber developed one of the earliest theories of bureaucracy in the late 19th century. Some key aspects of Weber's bureaucracy theory that remain valid today include hierarchical structures with clear lines of authority, specialist roles for administrators, and appointment/promotion based on merit and qualifications. However, some of Weber's views are no longer compatible with modern public administration, such as an emphasis on rigid adherence to rules without consideration of outcomes. Overall, while some of Weber's theory of bureaucracy is still practiced, some aspects need updating to reflect changes in administrative contexts.
Original Description:
MAX WEBER’S THEORY OF BUREAUCRACY
AND IT’S VALIDITY TODAY
Max Weber developed one of the earliest theories of bureaucracy in the late 19th century. Some key aspects of Weber's bureaucracy theory that remain valid today include hierarchical structures with clear lines of authority, specialist roles for administrators, and appointment/promotion based on merit and qualifications. However, some of Weber's views are no longer compatible with modern public administration, such as an emphasis on rigid adherence to rules without consideration of outcomes. Overall, while some of Weber's theory of bureaucracy is still practiced, some aspects need updating to reflect changes in administrative contexts.
Max Weber developed one of the earliest theories of bureaucracy in the late 19th century. Some key aspects of Weber's bureaucracy theory that remain valid today include hierarchical structures with clear lines of authority, specialist roles for administrators, and appointment/promotion based on merit and qualifications. However, some of Weber's views are no longer compatible with modern public administration, such as an emphasis on rigid adherence to rules without consideration of outcomes. Overall, while some of Weber's theory of bureaucracy is still practiced, some aspects need updating to reflect changes in administrative contexts.
Prepared by: SYLVIA ANDREW & CORNEYNIE REYND GUNSIN
Prepared for: EN TONY PARIDI BAGANG PAD190 PRINCIPAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
INTRODUCTION
Bureaucracy is an arrangement of management procedures. The scope of work is relates to public administration. Max Weber, a Germany social scientist was the first person to make a systematic study of bureaucracy. Bureaucracy system needs to practice by the large organization in order to achieve the aims and objectives of the organization. The issue that we would like to emphasis here is about the Theory of Bureaucracy by Max Weber and its validity today.
MAX WEBER BACKGROUND
Max Weber or his real name is Maximillian Weber was born on April 21, 1864 at Enfurt, Turingia, Germany and died on June 14, 1920 in Munich, German. Weber came from middle-class family and he is a famous sociologist and German economic analysts. Weber focuses on a lot of organizations theory. He felt that the organization called bureaucracy is the best. Study of new forms of organization involving a group of people formed in a large number of activities is the idea that Weber often associated with bureaucracy of large organizations.
CONCEPT OF BUREAUCRACY
Concept of Bureaucracy first used in the early 18 th century in Western Europe. The word Bureaucracy has been derived from the root Bureau stands for the post or office under a government. Popular parlance of Bureaucrats is called civil servants. Bureaucracy is used before the French revolution in 1789 and later expanded to other countries. Bureaucracy is a structure of management within a government or a company. Basically its a way to manage operations which is closely related to the efficiency, effectiveness, welfare and the administration techniques practice in an organization. Usually it involves within large corporations or the government.
BUREAUCRACY BY MAX WEBER
Weber theory of bureaucracy refers to a structured organization; there are specialization and work procedures. Their own procedures are according to the understanding and appropriateness in the context of developing an efficient public administration, transparency and efficiency to achieve the aims and objectives of the established organization. Weber's use some features and elements to explains the concept of bureaucracy championed by him. Public administration is a great organization that does not escape from being bureaucratic process in terms of management.
CHARACTERISTIC OF BUREAUCRACY BY MAX WEBER
There are typical characteristic of bureaucracy by Weber. One of it is hierarchy power used in an organization. Admin officer are organized hierarchically by which the lower level are controlled by the upper level. Thus, this exist a relation of superior- subordinate among the member of bureaucracy. Furthermore, bureaucracy by Weber has introduced specialization among civil servant. They are to perform within specific limit and their roles are specialized according to their expertise. This means they only worked at the specific task and do not have to bother others. For instant, a magistrate does not need to know accounting as there is accountant specialist. Bureaucracy by Weber set that appointment of civil servant is based on qualification determined by diploma or examination. Promotion for higher position is by measuring performance, qualification and experience to achieve aim and objectives in an organization. Impersonally is another characteristic by Weber. In this theory Weber pointing that an administration officer should not selfish and should cooperate and sharing knowledge to ensure the organization aim and objective achieved. Weber also stressed on welfare and responsibilities of public officer towards his subordinates. Rewards, bonus and incentive should be given to bureaucrats who deserved as recognition. This is to maintain productivity and excellent job performance. Bureaucracy by Weber also refers to chain of command in administration which the administrative officer only giving instruction to its subordinates and the down liner are to follows instruction. Job rotation is limited and specific in certain range even in big organization. Instruction through written document also a feature of bureaucracy by Weber where each command or work guidance should be done in written form.
VALIDITY OF BUREAUCRACY TODAY
The public administration in a large organization cannot escape from bureaucracy process in terms of management. Although today bureaucracy is seen as bias, time-consuming and inefficient system because a lot of hassle and procedures to go through, hence this perception is totally wrong because the bureaucracy is actually necessary in order to achieve the aims and objectives of an organization. Each department in public administration using different concepts of bureaucracy where most people interpret the bureaucracy as unfair, slow system, inefficient and takes too long for an action. The issue about suitability or validity of Webers theory of bureaucracy today in public administration should be identified and described in its entirety. Actually, Weber theory is still relevant and applicable in the context of the current administration, but there are some views of Weber are not compatible with the changes and the context of public administration such as in Malaysia itself. What can be learned from theory and concepts used by Weber is a large organization is same, neutral and should have their own goals or direction. An officer may only give orders to subordinates and employees received instructions from his superiors only. This is the concept of chain of command. This shows the Weber theory of bureaucracy is more focused on the concept of specialized or centralized and not comprehensive. Weber also stressed the concept of transfer of power or increasing the grade of merit based on its merits, skills and experiences. Hierarchical concept emphasized by Weber is still relevant and practiced in public administration although not present in its
entirety. Meanings power distribution system from the top management to middle management and subsequently to the formation subordinate place in the context of management in public administration. For example, in the public administration system in Malaysia itself, a director will deliver instruction to middle management as assistant director and assistant director will deliver messages to the administrative assistants to implement the agenda. General Director as the top management officer is not delivered directly to the assistant as a subordinates but middle management is conveyed through the assistant director. This proves the existence of hierarchy shows the relationship between senior officials with subordinates and superiors have the right to give orders to subordinates. Among other theories that are still practiced in public administration institutions in present system is a meritocracy in the promotion or improvement of public employees to the ultimate higher grad. Weber theory explains how the promotion system be evaluated based on competence, experience, achievements and seniority of public officer himself. Weber rejected favoritism element in determining the productivity and performance of a public officer to be eligible for enhanced grade. Although elements of bureaucracy can often cause a person feels an injustice would occur in the issue of promotion, but these elements is timely as a person is selected based on performance and actual performance. For example, in public administration in Malaysia, emotional intelligence test conducted and examinations to measure the efficiency level assessment of the performance of public officials before evaluated for promotion. This is what Weber is trying to convey through his theory.
Welfare and the responsibility of an administrator or a government are to protect the rights and legitimacy of the people as an away to improve productivity and efficiency of public officials. Reward systems, incentives and bonuses are a recognition given to public officials for their contributions to the organization and the country generally. In Malaysia, the bonus is given at each end of the year and outstanding service award given to individuals in recognition of contribution and service officers in the administration are the elements featured in Webers thinking. Weber also felt that the bureaucracy is characterized by chain of command in the management of the instructions received from one channel only. Constraints of power occurred when subordinates only accept instructions from his superiors only. This situation is relevant and formation occurs in public administration at the present time. However not all organizations use this instrument. Focus on administrative rationalism in this world, the Weber theory is among the theory is still relevant in public administration today. Rationalism is one important aspect of the procedure for appointments to the civil service in carrying out the work and the relationships between superiors and employees. At the same time, there is a feature highlighted by Weber theory that is not relevant and in line with the development of public administration today. Public administration is making headway and the improvements made from time to time as the development of a country. Between the theoretical calculated is suitable for a large organization such as public administrations a division of labor and specialization of work. Task is divided into departments or certain parts and not in general. The rotation or work cycle and functions of the department in a small scope and limited. This can lead to inefficiencies
and opportunities for promotion are low because a public servant too long in a particular department. When a public servant in public administration is too long, the tendency to corruption, cronyism and power control is high. In theory, founded by Webers bureaucracy, there is no comparison between the sub-organizational structures in public administration. In principle, public structure is different from the structure functions, services and relationships with community. Public administration relations with civil society are not described specifically. Weber is focusing on the relationship administrators and employees. In the context of the current administration, civil servants need to emphasize the concept of relationships with customers and outsiders, particularly the civil society for service in public service.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, concept and theory of Weber is relevant to practiced in public administration today. Hierarchy power, promotion and rewards should be implemented to maintain efficiency of the organization. Some says that bureaucracy theory by Weber is not relevant to practice because human values and relation between management and subordinates in an organization is not emphasized by Weber to achieve organization goals. Condition of bureaucracy is actually depends on the efficiency of government administration in ensuring that the guidelines are not gone far from the original concept of bureaucracy. Last but not least, there are advantages and disadvantages in theory bureaucracy by Weber. Thus, the positive things should be implemented and the negative things should be improve whenever necessary.
REFERENCES
1. Ludwig, http://mises.org/Books/bureaucracy.pdf 2. John B. Miner, Organizational Behavior, Chapter 20 Bureaucracy 3. Stanislav Andreski, Max Weber Insights and Error. 4. http://faculty.babson.edu/krollag/org_site/encyclop/bureaucracy.html 5. www.afsp.msh-paris.fr/activite/2006/colllinz06/txtlinz/suleiman.pdf 6. Moten & Serajul, Political Science, Bureaucracy.