Modern Management: concepts and skills, 14/e

Weber’s Bureaucratic Model

The writer who probably had the most profound influence on classical organizing theory was Max Weber. Most agree that Weber’s most notable contribution to classical organizing theory was his concept of bureaucracy.10 Specifically, Weber used the term bureaucracy to describe the management system that includes three primary components: detailed procedures and rules, a clearly outlined organizational hierarchy, and impersonal relationships among organization members.

Although he firmly believed in the bureaucratic approach to organizing, he was concerned that managers are inclined to overemphasize the merits of a bureaucracy. He cautioned that a bureaucracy is not an end in itself but, rather, a means to the end of management ...