Transcript Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth
Approach 7/e
James M. Henslin
Chapter Seven: Bureaucracy and
Formal Organizations
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
The Rationalization of Society
“The idea that efficiency and practical results
should dominate human affairs.”
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Why Did Society Change?

Prior—Traditional Orientation
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
Past Best Guide for Present
Post—Industrialization
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Rationality—Most Efficient Going
Forward
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Why Did Society Change?

Marx: Capitalism Broke Tradition

Weber: Religion Broke Tradition
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
What Are Formal Organizations?
“Secondary groups designed to
achieve specific objectives.”
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Formal Organizations
and Bureaucracy

Five Characteristics of Bureaucracies
1. Clear Levels
2. Division of Labor
3. Written Rules
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Formal Organizations
and Bureaucracy
4. Written Communication and Records
5. Impersonality
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Formal Organizations
and Bureaucracy

“Ideal” vs. “Real” Bureaucracy
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Extent of Bureaucracy—A Matter of
Degree

Ideal vs. Actual Organizational Chart
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Dysfunctions of Bureaucracies

Red Tape
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Lack of Communication Between Units
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Bureaucratic Alienation
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Dysfunctions of Bureaucracies

Resisting Alienation
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The Alienated Bureaucrat

Bureaucratic Incompetence
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Formal Organizations
and Bureaucracy

Goal Displacement
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Perpetuation of Bureaucracies

Social Significance of Bureaucracies
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Voluntary Associations

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Functions of Voluntary Associations
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Advance Particular Interests
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Offer People Identity
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Govern Nations and Maintain Social Order
These Apply to All or Most Voluntary
Associations
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Voluntary Associations

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Functions of Voluntary Associations
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Mediate Between Government and Individuals
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Help Individuals Climb Occupational Ladder
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Bring People into Political Mainstream
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Pave Way for Social Change
These Apply to Only Some Voluntary Associations
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Voluntary Associations

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Shared Interests
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Motivations for Joining Differ
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Experience High Turnover
The Problem of Oligarchy
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Leaders Grow Distant from Members
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The “Inner Group”
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Working for the Corporation
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Stereotypes
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The “Hidden” Corporate Culture
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Hidden Values
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Self-Fulfilling Prophesies
Achievement Level Affects Behavior
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Humanizing the Corporate Culture
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Develop Rather than Impede Potential
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Access to Opportunities
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Distribute Power More Evenly
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Humanizing the Corporate Culture

Work Teams
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Corporate Day Care
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Employee Stock Ownership
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Quality Circles
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
Working for the Corporation

The Conflict Perspective
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Technology and Control of Workers
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
U.S. and Japanese Corporations
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How They Differ
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Hiring and Promoting
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Lifetime Security
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Almost Total Involvement
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Decision-Making by Consensus
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Chapter 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
U.S. and Japanese Corporations

Myth vs. Reality

Differences Generally True
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However, Changes Afoot
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