Functions (advantages) of Bureaucracy

•    Specialization

Bureaucracy makes it possible to achieve large increases in productivity that can come from specialization. Employees are permitted to specialize in those areas where they are experts. Bureaucracy can thus help cope with complexity especially in those organizations where expertise from different fields is required.

•    Structure

Bureaucracy provides form to an organization by structuring it. The duties of each position are described. The structure provides a logical relationship of activities.

•    Predicability and Stability

The rules, regulations, structure, professional aspects and other aspects of bureaucracy enable it to provide predicability and stability for an organization.

•    Rationality

A rational organization is one free from personal caprice and favouritism. In bureaucracy, judgements are made according to objective and generally agreed upon criteria not by patronage.

•    Democracy

Bureaucracy contributes to democracy by its emphasis on technical competence as the sole basis for gaining and holding a job. Patronage, favouritism, tradition and other arbitrary bases have no effect. Because the opportunity to train, apply and be selected for a job is open to everybody a significant degree of democracy is achieved.

Dysfunctions of Bureaucracy

These are in large part inherent in the bureaucratic model. Dysfunctions are caused by differences in values and objectives, limited knowledge of motivational process and by simple errors and mistakes.

Below are listed some of the dysfunctions of bureaucracy.

1.    Rigidity

2.    It is claimed that bureaucracy is rigid, static and inflexible, it advocates for strict adherence to rules and procedures, this may not work in today's dynamic environments.

3.    Impersonality

4.    Bureaucracy advocates for impersonal observation of the system i.e. it ignores people. People are seen as inert factors of production and not as developing emotional and unique beings. Lack of personal sympathy for employees may cause dissatisfaction and consequently reduced productivity.

5.    Displacement of Objectives

6.    Sometimes the bureaucratic forgets his ultimate organizational reason for existence i.e. to contribute to the overall objectives of the organization. In pursuing his individual objectives or the objectives of his subunit, he may fail to adequately contribute to broader objectives.

7.    Limitations of Categorisation

8.    In order to achieve coordination and specialization, bureaucracy requires strict categorisation of activities and persons. One works only within his department, even if the work of his department can be combined with that of another—this leads to waste.

9.    Since bureaucracy grants career status of tenure to a position, there is a tendency to maintain that position even if it becomes obsolete.

10.    Self Perpetuation and Empire Building

11.    Once fully established, bureaucracy is hard to destroy even if it has outlived its usefulness. The same power that a bureaucrat requires to do his work in a professional environment can be used by him to perpetuate his job or department beyond its useful life. The bureaucrat could increase the number of his subordinates to enhance his prestige.