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 CPfI_70&feature=related CPfI_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 "Formal organization - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 15 May "Groups Within Society: Social Groups and Organizations: Sociology: SparkNotes: 101s." SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides. 15 May "Groups and Formal Organizations." University of Missouri - St. Louis Home. 15 May 2009.