4.5 The Structure of Formal Organizations

4.5 The Structure of Formal Organizations

Objectives:

Explain how bureaucracies are structured.

Evaluate the effectiveness of bureaucracies.

The Structure of Formal Organizations

• Formal Organization – Large, complex secondary group that has been established to achieve specific goals. 

• Examples: Schools, businesses, political and religious and youth organizations, and labor unions

• Bureaucracy – Ranked authority structure that operates according to specific rules and procedures.

• Rationality – The process of subjecting every feature of human behavior to calculations, measurement, and control.

• Voluntary Association – Non profit association formed to pursue some common interest.

• Iron Law of Oligarchy – Tendency of organizations to become increasingly dominated by small groups of people.

Weber’s Model 

• Division of Labor- Work is divided among specialist in various positions. Each specialist is expected to perform specific duties.

• Ranking of Authority- There are clear cut lines of responsibility, and each individual is responsible to a supervisor at a higher level.

• Employment based on formal qualifications- Specific qualifications are required for each job. Individuals are hired based upon tests, education or previous experience.

• In a bureaucracy, the job –not the job holder –is important. Therefore everybody is replaceable

• Rules and regulations- There are objective rules, regulations, and routine procedures that identify the exact responsibilities and authority of each person on staff.

• Specific lines of promotion and advancement- It is assumed that employees expect a career with the organization. 

Multiple Choice

Hospitals, hotels, and banks are examples of:

• aggregates.

• organizations.

• social networks.

• primary groups

Multiple Choice

When Jessica registers her daughter for kindergarten she must submit her birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residence. The existence of such regulations is a characteristic of:

• aggregates.

• secondary groups

• formal organizations.

• social networks.

Multiple Choice

Harris Consulting has been contracted by a large medical facility to streamline its operations to become more efficient and productive. Based on these stated goals, the medical facility is a(n):

• flexible workplace.

• informal organization.

• bureaucracy.

• social network.

Multiple Choice

Weber described six characteristics of a bureaucracy; however, not every bureaucracy will exhibit all of these traits. Weber's characteristics represent a(n) ______ type.

• ideal

• real

• perfect

• rigid

Poll

How well did you understand today's Objectives:

Explain how bureaucracies are structured.

Evaluate the effectiveness of bureaucracies.

• understood both

• understood 1 not 2

• understood 2 not 1

• I was in class and will review

Open Ended

List two items that you learned today.

Test on Friday