SOC227H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Ideal Type, Mass Production, Scientific Management
Document Summary
Soc227 lecture 9 managing work in organizations. Sociologists have made several interesting observations: can undermine efficiency by making rules the goal, instead of the means to the organizations goals. Bureaucratic efficiency is not rational but value rational: reality frequent conflict between management and employees over rules and procedures. It (cid:373)ay underestimate the degree of agency workers still have over their jobs, and overestimate the control managers have over employees. Bureau(cid:272)ra(cid:272)y ig(cid:374)ores the (cid:862)dark side of orga(cid:374)izatio(cid:374)s(cid:863) where things go wrong because bureaucratic rules are followed too strictly. We(cid:271)er"s rigid (cid:373)odel of (cid:271)ureau(cid:272)rati(cid:272) (cid:373)a(cid:374)age(cid:373)e(cid:374)t was an extreme theoretical ideal. Research suggests the reality is more of a spectrum, moderated by technology and market conditions. Where workflow is consistent and production processes are routine. Organic organizational form: [more flexible structure/management: more appropriate in industries with: Where the workflow is varied and production processes are non-routine and complex. Bureaucratic theory also downplays the instrumentality of informal relations within organizations for formal outcomes.
