What are the main characteristics of bureaucratic management? Why did bureaucratic forms develop? Are we now working in a Post-Bureaucratic management tradition? Explain your answer.

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Introduction

Bureaucratic management refers to a management style in which strict adherence to law and rules is emphasized , hierarchy is followed and flexibility is not tolerated but rather the following of laid down procedures . Such a style is lacking in terms of `enterprising ' freedom and rarely do employees produce or perform to their maximum . In this , the bureaucratic management style will be discussed with an aim of highlighting the main characteristics of the bureaucratic style Secondly an effort will be made in to establish

where the bureaucratic management owes its origin from as well as what factors contributed to the development of the management style . After careful assessment of the system , the author hopes to make a balanced assessment on the appropriateness of the system as well as to briefly compare it to other management systems . As well as discussing the post-bureaucratic management , this will highlight the main characteristics of post-bureaucratic tradition as well as making a judgment on its suitability to today 's business and to asses whether it has replaced bureaucratic management . However in this neither of the management styles is supported but on the contrary the author raises pertinent issues on the characteristics identified as well as merits

According to , Clegg , Kornberger , and Pitsis (2005 .62-100 ) how values power , rules and discretion are interconnected determines the performance of the organization and are core to bureaucratic management Organizational structure forms in bureaucratic management a very critical role . In bureaucratic management , organizational structure is usually rigid and relations amongst workers are determined by their respective positions in the organization something which makes the style very impersonal . Bureaucracy can be said to promote and advocate for the protection of the individual from organizational discrimination something which is favorable especially due to the fact that , too much vulnerability of a manager to the superiors in the organization may not augur well for managers . In such an environment , management is not affected by secondary factors such as ethnicity , class , gender , economic status and race as rising to such positions does not call for one to be loyal to any senior authority but rather to follow the proper and laid down organizational rules . The above is very crucial for smooth functioning of organizations and makes bureaucratic management very ideal management style . While bureaucratic management instills and control in an organization , abuse of bureaucracy by managers is always a possibility in bureaucratic management . Although it is counterproductive , bureaucratic management can thrive where staff is keen on following the laid down procedures

Clegg , Kornberger , and Pitsis (2005 .99-108 ) argues that bureaucracy is too restrictive and rule bound although such claims have been echoed by other critics of bureaucratic management who argue that the above arises due to the fact that , it is based on equality before law , ones qualifications for management positions as well as the fact that it is based on liberal norms , such as equal representation and equal opportunities for all those who qualify...