What is the purpose of the theory?

What are its strengths?

What are its limitations?

What conclusions do you draw?

How will you use this theory, in your own practice (Health care sector)

 

BUREAUCRATIC THEORY IN THE BUSINESS VALUE PROPOSITION

Purpose of the Theory

Max Weber's bureaucratic theory can be defined as a procedure for managing an institution or organization (Expertprogrammanagement.com 2021) operating several branches regionally or internationally. The theory is vital in defining administration procedures at this level and solving big problems that the organization might be facing. Weber theory responds to challenges facing large organizational groups, for instance, capital or labor mobility. Most organizations operated based on traditional authority, suffering from particularism, favoritism, or undesirable communication models.

In extended works such as The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1905), Max Weber defined the term “bureaucracy,” expressing the most efficient way of setting up an organization, administration, and leadership structures (Swatos Jr & Kaelber 2016). The bureaucratic organization undergoes a chain of legal responsibilities, that helps in maintaining discipline and general employee performance. The theory functions when the management imposes rules in the expectation that they will become law based on the established procedures. All bureaucratic rules are considered official duties.

Strengths

The theory has remained effective in managing weak institutions and structures. The theory draws from authoritarian leadership, whereby institutions are expected to consistently produce results in all units (Chard 2008), reduce the overall time required to make decisions, place pressure on the leaders, and promote the chain of command, boosting productivity. Perhaps the most important goal is to promote the chain of command. This involves keeping the team functioning through clear instructions while allowing for more efficient performance—the leadership role changes with the performance of the business. Milhauser (2011, p. 22) believes that with a better chain of command, it is possible to boost productivity and performance. 

Limitations

The bureaucratic theory is highly disadvantaged and prone to collapse. Some employees might rebel, with leaders often viewed as dictatorial. In addition, though efficient, the theory increases the amount of group decisions, signatories and approval gates, thus creating series of bureaucracies. Team leaders feel they need to be consulted as part of the decision-making process, with the theory slowing down creativity on the part of the leaders. Bureaucratic theory condemns insecurity among the team while significantly impairing the morale of the group. It fails to create appropriate feedback while constraining performance (Stensota 2011, p. 566). Employees under bureaucratic theory experience a higher burn rate, with the chain of command often not very clear and lacking a model for pushing forward. At the same time, there are fewer opportunities for team building. Lastly, the team will rely on central command, but this could be problematic if the leader suffers from inadequate expertise and knowledge.

Conclusions

In theory, bureaucracy seems to be a good approach for maintaining functional leadership within the team and executing the chain of command; however, as evidenced, it is prone to creating team insurrection. The theory involves a leader who makes critical decisions and expects the team to abide by all decisions while maintaining absolute control, with supporting policies and procedures. The rules are vital in building a leadership model one governed by a set of rules.

Health Care Sector: Application

The theory will be integrated into the health sector by promoting the growth of critical organs while encouraging creativity. In these demanding times of Covid-19, top-level leadership trickling down to the command chain promotes communication within the health sector. As an employee, I can use the theory to follow the instructions of my superiors, especially those regarding safety within the workplace.

BUREAUCRATIC THEORY IN THE BUSINESS VALUE PROPOSITION

Purpose of the Theory

• Max Weber's bureaucratic theory can be defined as a procedure for managing an institution or organization (Expertprogrammanagement.com 2021) operating several branches regionally or internationally.
• In extended works such as The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1905), Max Weber defined the term “bureaucracy,” expressing the most efficient way of setting up an organization, administration, and leadership structures.

Strengths

• The theory has remained effective in managing weak institutions and structures.

Limitations

• The bureaucratic theory is highly disadvantaged and prone to collapse.

Conclusions

• In theory, bureaucracy seems to be a good approach for maintaining functional leadership within the team and executing the chain of command; however, as evidenced, it is prone to creating team insurrection.

Health Care Sector: Application

• The theory will be integrated into the health sector by promoting the growth of critical organs while encouraging creativity.