FORMAL ORGANIZATIONS

AND BUREAUCRACIES

By: Danny “Disaster” Murphy and Ty “Smay on the Beach”

Thesis

To understand the impact of formal organizations and bureaucracies and the important role that they play in society.

Definitions Formal Organization – is a secondary group

formed to accomplish specific, set objectives. It transforms the way in which society is

organized. Ex: A corporation is usually a formal

organization. Corporations tend to be large and are characterized by secondary relations among their employees. The goal of most corporations is very specific: to increase profits.

Corporations

Two Biggest :

1. Wal-Mart

2. Exxon Mobil (gas company)

Evolution of Formal Organizations Industrialization sparked formal

organization Static – doesn’t change too much Has become larger, yet more efficient

over the years Continues to be used since early times

through present day

Characteristics of Formal Organizations Easy to understand and explained Works from higher to lower positions

(top down) and has a hierarchy Very well aligned Doesn’t change much Formed by certain orders and rules Mostly based on status and less of the

individual Efficient

Formal Organizations All Around Us Born into them Education Work Death *Society as a whole is formally

organized

Bureaucracy

Definition – it is the structure and basis of regulations set in place to control activities, most often in large organizations.

Concept – since beginning of nationhood

Word comes from Western Europe

Bureaucracy (cont…)

Ideal vs. Real Dysfunctions

1. Rule is a rule

2. Loss or lack of communication

3. Alienation

4. Incompetence Significance Perpetuation

Max Weber

Max Weber found the ideals and “guidelines” of bureaucracies and their development/ growth.

Believes it is efficient and rational 7 principles Bureaucratic official

Impact on the U.S. society All around us Impact absolutely everyone Sometimes created to look over other

organizations Takes care of various social and political

necessities

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0m4CPfI_70&feature=related

Interview

Jordan Monroe’s take on formal organizations:

“Formal organizations are what make

society go. Society is one big formal

organization, and no matter what we do,

we are involved in formal organizations.”

Interview (Cont.)

Jordan’s take on why formal organizations are necessary:

“Society needs order, and formal

organizations allow for order and

organization. Without this order, society

would be unable to function efficiently.”

Interview (Cont.)

Jordan’s opinion on whether or not the idea of bureaucracy is competent:

“Bureaucracy allows for society to function

on a basic set of principles, and thus it

would seem to be a reasonable theory.

Overall, it once again serves as a way to

provide order to a society that requires it,

and this to me proves bureaucracy to be a

reasonable ideal.

Works Cited"Bureaucracy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free

encyclopedia. 15 May 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bureaucracy>.

"Formal organization - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 15 May 2009

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formal_organization>.

"Groups Within Society: Social Groups and Organizations: Sociology: SparkNotes: 101s." SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides. 15 May 2009 <http://www.sparknotes.com/101/sociology/social_groups_and_organizations/groups_within_society.html>.

"Groups and Formal Organizations." University of Missouri - St. Louis Home. 15 May 2009

<http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/010/groups.html#formalorg>.