Understanding Bureaucracy

A bureaucracy is a machine that has, as its most profound attribute, the ability to promote maximum efficiency in production or service. The structure, process, and function of this powerful machine have traditionally been viewed as ethically neutral. The same characteristics that advance efficiency also hold the potential for immoral and unethical activities and processes. Rules, hierarchy, routinization, and specialization help an organization accomplish goals in a rational, efficient manner.

For this discussion, analyze your organization or one that you are familiar with, in relation to the moral impact of the bureaucratic characteristics and the organizational ideal.

• Does the culture of your organization promote serving the company at the expense of client well-being or employee morality? Describe some examples.
• What is the effect of the focus on efficiency in your organization? What is the level of turnover, burnout, and low morale? What are the reported causes of these conditions?
• What are the examples of these impacts on people, decision making, evaluation, moral sensitivity, and so forth?
• What are the examples of language, buzz words, and labels used in your organization that have moral and ethical dimensions? What are the ethical implications of such language? How would you change the language used?