Question

Q1A. Discuss the characteristics of weberian bureaucracy

1b. critically examine taylors framework for a successful organisation

Answer 1

1a: There are few main characteristics of Weberian bureaucracy. First of all there is a presence of administrative class and this class is responsible for maintaining the coordinative activities of its members. Secondly there is a hierarchy of positions in the organization. This is a system of ranking of various positions and this is in the form of descending scale from top of the organization to bottom. Hierarchy serves as a line of communication and also serves the purpose of delegation of authority. Then there is division of work. This characteristic entails division of work on the basis of specialization of its workforce or its labor force. This characteristic helps the organization to take advantages of division of labor. The next characteristic is the presence of official rules. The entire administrative process is continuous and is governed by official rules. These rules are stable and exhaustive in nature. Lastly there is presence of impersonal relationships and relationships among each individual is governed through the system of official authority and rules.

1b: Taylor’s framework for a successful organization is based on the principles of scientific management theory which he had laid down. As per Taylor’s framework a successful organization focuses and emphasizes on efficiency. Efficiency should be driven by appreciating workers and rewarding them for increased productivity. The success of an organization, as per Taylor, is directly related to the success of its employees. This approach makes the workers efficient in the long run and the efficiency of the workers contributes to the success of the organization. Taylor says that each employee plays a crucial and significant role in the success of a company and hence management should delegate responsibilities and train workers. Taylor’s framework also highlighted the point that jobs should not only be optimized but they should also be simplified. When this is done then it will lead to a systematic increase in productivity. Workers should be matched to their jobs on the basis of their capability and their motivation levels. Once workers are matched they should be trained to work at maximum efficiency levels. Monitoring of worker’s performance is also necessary and important. Lastly work should be allocated between managers and workers and doing so will enable the managers to focus on planning and on training the employees. All these will increase the overall efficiency levels.