Bureaucracy is a form of government that allows important decisions to be made by state officials. This means that the people in charge are not elected representatives that are chosen by the people, but rather very qualified and experienced people in whatever field is being dealt with. They are there to implement government policies and to put the laws and orders given by officials into play. There are many different view points and opinions on the subject of bureaucracy, let’s take a look at the arguments from both sides.
The Advantages of Bureaucracy
Control
With lots of management, a bureaucratic structure has a very strong boundary. Commands and expectations are all very clear and well communicated. Authority is not spread; instead this is centralized among employees. Job descriptions are specialized and detailed. Over time, bureaucracy establishes several rules in order to maintain its structure. Management is capable of monitoring outcomes that lends itself towards standard services and products as well as quality control.
Mechanistic
Exerting intense and tight control, bureaucracies tend to work like machines made up of different gears and cogs, every part functioning and serving entirely. This might sound dystopian, seeing organization working like machines but this is quite an advantage because this enables management to focus on coordinating effort and success. This approach works best in conventional environments. Humming along mechanically, order of bureaucratic organizations fit together with stability enabling companies to move relentlessly towards its set strategic goals.
Economies of Scale
Grouping jobs categorically by function breeds particular economies. Departments share resources efficiently. Bureaucratic structures require specialization of jobs leading to economies of scales as workers and employees function and work repetitively with increased efficiency, proficiency and productivity.
Disadvantages of Bureaucracy
Low Morale
When jobs are specialized, there is the tendency that it would be repetitive. This can lead to boredom is some employees and may also lead to dissatisfaction. Employees are not judged on the way they can uniquely deliver a job but on how they fulfill their main functions. Employee disempowerment rooted from centralized structure. With bureaucratic structure holding more authority, employees become passive, helpless and indifferent to the goals of the company.
Absence of Maneuverability
This type of structure stops a company from quickly maneuvering. The changes in certain procedures must pass through chains of evaluations and commands before getting approval. In stable settings, this rigidity is not really an issue but in volatile scenarios, the inability to change quickly can pose real problems. Lumbering companies cannot move abrupt competitive threats.
Relevance
A particular company that brings up rear in market forces adjustments is impossible to become a leader in the industry. Disempowered employees lack the freedom to innovate for higher or better positions within the company especially when abrupt market shift happen. Between lack of maneuverability and difficulty in innovating, companies that are employing bureaucratic structures has the risk of becoming irrelevant in their own niche or industry.
This is not the complete lists of advantages and disadvantages of bureaucracy. There are still some that individuals need to be aware of to better understand this structure.
