Scientific Management and Bureaucracy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Scientific Management and Bureaucracy - Essay Example Same can be observed for scientific management based organization structure. Both bureaucracy and scientific management structures are very interesting, evolved and comprehensive. Despite their respective merits and demerits they are still widely chosen forms of organizational structures the globe over. In the following paragraphs we examine each of these structures in some details focusing on their main features, merits and demerits and the specific type of settings where these can be preferred structures. The rationalization process is the practical application of knowledge to achieve a desired end. It leads to efficiency, coordination, and control over both the physical and the social environment. Weberian general theory of rationalization forms the basis for evolution of bureaucratic form of economic organization. Marxists sociologist had detected rationalization in factory settings and the several labor related concerns associated with it. Weber observed and extended rationalization to almost all social spheres - politics, religion, economic organization etc. Rationalization refers to increasing human mastery over the natural and social environment. ... Weberian sociology is conceptualized on the metaphysics of rationalization which eventually converts capitalist society into a system of interconnected bureaucracies. According to Weberian definition of rationalization in economic organization it was simply manifest in the organization of the factory in the bureaucratic form with the calculation of profit by systematic accounting procedures. In ethical connotations it essentially meant an increased reliance on discipline and training in society as a whole, the spread of bureaucracy, state control and administration. Thus bureaucracy held centre stage in Weberian sociology. Weber defines bureaucracy as "a hierarchal organization designed rationally to coordinate the work of many individuals in the pursuit of large scale administrative goals" (Haralambous, 1985).Its main features are a hierarchal structure based on commonality of codified purpose, specialization in the form of well defined division of labor which runs under a power system termed 'rational - legal authority'( based on the concept of domination prevailing in democratic societies and belief in the legality of certain rules. Those who issue the rules are seen as entitled to do so. It is possible to know which rules are formally correct, imposed by accepted procedures. This power authority system creates an impersonal order). That is each stratum expects the authority of higher strata and, in turn, exercises the same downstream for common purposes. Each bureaucracy position is gained by ability and competence. The 'consistent system of codified and abstract rules' and norms are adhered to an d administered with an intent of 'moralistic impersonality'. At its best bureaucracy has an almost a machine like character - each parts