Fundamental characteristics of bureaucracies

Question

State the fundamental characteristics of bureaucracies.

Answer 1

The six characteristics of bureaucracies are mentioned below:

1. Hierarchy: The rule says that formal hierarchy should exist. Thus each level controls the level below it and is in turn controlled by a level above it. The person at the top level controls all the levels.

2. Rules: Rules are set and all the levels are controlled by rules. This provides a continuous flow in decision making and the decision made by top levels is executed by all other levels.

3. Function: This characteristic keeps the members of the organization organized by the means of their function and skill. Individuals with same skill and function are kept together.

4. Focus: Each organization has its focus and missioned defined and the members of the organization and the organization itself works towards attaining these goals.

5. Impersonal: The idea of being impersonal is to maintain decorum and to treat all employees and the customers fairly and equally without being biased because of individual differences.

6. Qualification: Qualification is required to get a particular position in a set up. Individuals are chosen as per their qualification and not because of their connections or links.