Student Essay on Introduction to Max Weber

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Introduction to Max Weber

Summary:   The purpose of this report is to provide a general explanation of the classical organization theory by exploring the theories of the three leading characters in this field: Max Weber, Fredrick Taylor and Henri Fayol .

Max Weber( Bureaucracy, power and control).

Fredrick Taylor ( Scientific Management).

Henri Fayol (Administration).

Also it is essential to have an over all view of the three theories and a critical comparison to reflect on how much these theories have contributed to classical theory of business.

Definition of management:

(1)Management takes place within a structured organizational setting with prescribed roles. It is directed towards the achievement of aims and objectives through influencing the efforts of others.

Max Weber: ( 1864 - 1920)

(2)" Bureaucracy is the rule conducted from a desk or office" i.e. by the preparation and dispatch of written documents.

Bureaucratic administration means the exercise of control on the basis of knowledge.

It is believed that Weber thought of bureaucracy as the most efficient form of organization.

Weber based his theory on the following factors:

·The organization of official functions governed by rules.

·Specialization

·A clearly defined hierarchy of offices.

·Rules.

·Impersonality.

·Free selection of appointed officials.

·Full- time paid officials.

·Career officials.

·Private/ public split

·Systematic discipline and control of officials work

The characteristics of bureaucracy

·It is organized according to rational principles.

·Offices are ranked in a hierarchal order and their operation are characterized by impersonal rule.

·Appointments are made according to specialization and qualifications rather than ascriptive criteria .

·The activities required in an bureaucratic organization is distributed in a fixed way as official duties

·The separation of officials from the ownership of the organization.

·The individuals function within the limit of their specialization of the work.

The impact and benefits of bureaucracy according to Weber

·Only through organized structure ( bureaucracy) large -scale planning in both the modern state and modern economy is possible.

·Bureaucratic organization has shaped the modern policy, economy and technology.

·Bureaucratic types of organization is technically superior to all other forms of administration much as a machine production is superior to hand craft method.

·Bureaucratization of the modern world has led to its depersonalization.

·It is the most efficient way of conducting administration.

Weber's definition of power and authority

Weber distinguish between power and authority, he defines power as:

(2)"Power is the probability that one actor within a social relationship will be in a position to carry out his own will despite resistance, regardless of the basis on which this probability rests."

(3)Power is the possibility of imposing one's will upon the behaviour of other persons.

Weber explains that power in a sense that man or men realize their own will in communal action even if it is against the resistance of others, he explains who owns the means of production exercise political power directly or indirectly . In modern capitalist world, economic power is the predominant form of power. In other words he states that men who are able to command large- scale bureaucratic organizations may gain a great deal of economic power even they are salaried employees.

Authority in Weber's view exists when there is legitimacy in the power acquired .

Weber classified organization according to that legitimacy of three kinds of authority ;

·Charismatic authority, based on the characteristics of the individual.

·Traditional authority, which was based on respect of a custom.

·Rational legal authority, based on set of codes and rules.

Control: the control of the organization is based on the authority and power exercised to achieve the objectives of any organization.

Each employee is given a title with this title comes the tasks and the type of authority the employee is expected to perform, the employee has little or no authority outside that title. In the office of hierarchy there is different levels of super- and subordination and there is a supervision of the lower offices by the higher ones.

The division makes it possible for control since all tasks are well defined and orders function from upper management to down in the hierarchy ladder.

Rules and regulations are intentionally designed without consideration to personal or emotional motives, such rules will prevent distortion of employees rational judgment in carrying out their assigned duties.