“Max weber” was interested in the study of organizational structure and categorized five main characteristics of ideal bureaucracy; which are as follow, division of labor, hierarchy of organization, written rules and regulation, impersonality and employment based on technical skills. He says that, no matter, what the type of organization is, whether it is public or private, it will display the same characteristics.
Division of labor
According to “Max weber” in an organization everyone have to perform a specific task. For example in a university teachers job is only to teach, the one who works in administration should look after the maintenance and procurement. Teachers should not perform the job responsibilities of administrator and administrator should not teach, everyone in the organization have been assigned specific tasks and they should perform only those tasks. Weber believed that, such type of division of labor will increase the level of expertise of employee in his field and increase the efficiency and productivity of organization. However, according to conflict theorist “Karl Marx” division of labor can result in the feeling of alienation in employees because it separates them from other workers. Furthermore, the employees cannot see and learn the task beginning to end which might lead to the less productivity.
Hierarchy of Organization
All the employees working in the organization are not equal, its structure is hierarchical. Each employee are under the authority of higher position the structure of organization is like pyramid. It clarify the employees that who are in charge and have authority of decision making in the organization. On the other hand, it might lead to the feeling of deprivation among employees of decision making, particularly those, who are at lower level of hierarchy.
Written Rules and Regulation
All the employees working in the organization, work according to the written rules and regulations. It gives employees clear picture of their job responsibilities. It will also lead to Uniform performance, sense of unity and continuity to an organization. However, too many rules and regulation might lead to goal displacement, employees could get busy in following the rules and forget their actual goal.
Impersonality
The word impersonality might seems a like negative term, however, max weber meant by, impersonality that, every employee in the organization should conduct their activity in unbiased way. According to him, it will ensure the equal treatment of employees within the organization.
Employment based on technical Qualification
“Max weber” believed that, hiring of the employee should be based on their qualification. By that, he meant that, the required job responsibilities should match the qualification and skill set of the employee. Only those applicants should be hired who meets the criteria of job. It will decrease the level of discrimination on the basis of cast, creed, gender and religion.
