Bureaucratic Organizational Structure

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Bureaucratic Organizational Structure

A bureaucratic organization is an organization in which its managerial structure depicts a

pyramidal type of command structure (Punyaratabandhu-Bhakdi). This implies that the orders

that ought to be executed originate from a supreme command at the top of the management and

flow downwards. This means that this system of management is a very organized one in the way

it carries out its functions. This is also impacted by the manner in which decisions are made in an

organized manner. These types of organizational structure have very many advantages although

there are still some disadvantages. Other forms of structure can base their foundation and

principles from this type of organizational structure.

Principles of Bureaucratic Organizational Structure

According to the description given of the bureaucratic organization, it can be noted that this type

of administrative structure has several principles that differentiate it with other type of structure.

The many levels of management from the senior executives downwards make the organization to

be unique in its functionality (Gawthrop 28)This means that there is a certain flow of ideas and

policies that ought to be executed as we are going to see in the description of the principles

below.

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The bureaucratic form of structure in an organization depicts a structure that is hierarchical.

This is based by the many departments in the organization that are interdependent. Every

department is controlled by the one above it when it comes to the decisions that they act on. The

top management is the supreme authority which makes decisions that are to be followed by the

rest of the departments. The hierarchy is formal and depicts a central decision making and

planning on behalf of the organization. Additionally, this type of organization is controlled by

several rules that are observed throughout the organization (Anderson 119). The rules and

guidelines are made mostly from above and they have to be followed by every person in the

organization. These guidelines are not necessarily decided in a consultation procedure with the

lower levels and with other officials. This implies that the decisions that are made at the highest

levels will entirely govern the whole organization as they are consistently executed at the lower

levels.

In the bureaucratic type of structure not all type of employees are looked for or are given

every task to perform in the organization. The various tasks that ought to be performed in the

organization are given to the specialist and people who are qualified to handle these tasks. The

work is divided into several small units that are handled by the best suited persons who

concentrate in the work allocated to them. The tasks are also performed basing on the type of

skills that the employees have in order to accomplish various activities. This is very important in

the organization since there is increased efficiency. Further, there is an “in-focused” or an “up-

focused” mission. This implies that the organization can either serve itself or those within it or

serve the stake holders or the body and any other body that is empowered to it. When the

organization is based on serving the agency that has empowered it, then it is referred to as up-

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focused (Ruitenbeck 221). The structure is referred to as in-focused if the organization majors in

developing high profits or striving to attain high market shares.

The bureaucratic organization structure is purposely impersonal. This refers to the way that

the employees are treated. The organization tends to treat all people equally including employees

and customers. There is little influence by the individual differences in the manner in which the

people are treated in the organization. This implies that there is less conflict that is likely to arise

between the employees which are an advantage to the organization. The predisposition to grow

by the staff has been obviously noted in the organizational structure. The employees tend to

develop and grow at predictable rates. This is mostly not even affected by what the line of the

organization is partaking on. It is mainly affected by the mode in which the employees are given

freedom to exercise their skills in the areas that they are best suited in.

Advantages

There is a great control of the organization that can be noted by this type of structure. This is

because the organization managers at the top level make their own decisions which must be

followed by the rest of the people (Natemeyer 164).This is very important for the operational

style of the organization. The decision making is shorter since there are less people that ought to

be consulted. This is very important especially in some matters that ought to be acted upon

promptly. It also saves on time in the management. There is standardization in the process as the

best practices are done due to the fact that individuals are given responsibilities that they are

most suited in. This plays a great deal in increasing efficiency and effectiveness in the

organization.

Disadvantages

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This type of administration discourages creativity of the employee (Ferguson 67). This is

because they are not given enough freedom to make their own decisions in the tasks they are

given to handle. A single person making decisions cannot be very effective in generating the best

ideas all through. There could be increased employee turnover rates due to the possibility of less

employee satisfaction. The organization is too rigid to adapt to the changes in the industrial

environment. There is increased order in this type of organization since all decisions which are

acted upon are well thought of. All employees execute what has been given to them meaning

there is little chance of being disorganized. The hierarchical structure also demonstrates

orderliness that also impacts on efficiency of production as well as effectiveness.

In conclusion, the bureaucratic organizational structure has been very common in most

organizations as they tend to maximize their service to the people they serve. This is very

common in institutions like colleges as well as prisons, police departments and departments of

motor vehicles especially in the US. This type of administration has been described as effective

due the orderliness that it depicts.

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References

Anderson, James G. Applicability of the bureaucratic model to the organizational structure of the

school. Baltimore, : Johns Hopkins University,, 2014.

Ferguson, Stewart. Intercom : readings in organizational communication . Rochelle Park:

Hayden Book Co., 2012.

Gawthrop, Louis C. Bureaucratic behavior in the executive branch; an analysis of organizational

change. New York,: Free Press, 2013.

Natemeyer, Walter E. Classics of organizational behavior. Oak Park: Moore Pub. Co., 2015.

Punyaratabandhu-Bhakdi, Suchitra. Organizational structure and bureaucratic performance in

Thailand. Aldershot: Brookfield,, 2012.

Ruitenbeek, Hendrik Marinus. The dilemma of organizational society. New York :: Dutton,

2013.

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