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 Perpetuation

1. Rule is a rule2. Loss or lack of communication3. Alienation4. Incompetence

Significance

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=I0m4

CPfI_70&feature=related

Interview Jordan Monroe’s take on formal

organizations:“Formal organizations are what makesociety go. Society is one big formalorganization, 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 formalorganizations 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 functionon 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>.