Ethics
In viewing the basic definition of bureaucracy and in noting some of the country's most recent examples of success and failure in the bureaucratic business world, one can see that the issue is clearly two-sided and will likely remain so for many years to come. However, despite the split in opinion, the question of ethics and bureaucracy can be delved into in rational manner that, in the end, finds in favor of ethical bureaucratic dealings within the business world.
While critics debate that bureaucracy and its management positions provide for a stagnant work environment, supporters argue that bureaucracy in business is based in efficiency, which is essential for longevity. Bureaucracy in business must be approached in an collectivist way -- which ensures that ethics reside in a community of individuals rather than in one person alone (Brown 1). Individuals working in a bureaucratic business must act appropriately in the context of the larger social structure to which they belong, which ensures security, camaraderie, and efficiency above all.
Bureaucracy in business focuses largely on the existence of middle-managers and company higher-ups who work to oversee the business, and again, focus on efficiency. Critics argue that without these managers, employees would get more done, "unshackled by pointless bureaucracy, meaningless paperwork and incompetent bosses" (Fisman 1). However, studies have found that the existence of bureaucracy and these managers boosts productivity around 10%, improving quality, inventory and business production (Fisman 2). The existence of bureaucracy in business is what allows employees to have job security and job structure. Journalist Ray Fisman notes that while the management tactics of bureaucratic offices may seem pointless these standards look out for the well-being of the whole -- "[Management] constraints can seem designed to make office life a pointless misery, but it's also what allows the modern corporation to avoid the chaos of the unmanaged cotton weavers of Mumbai" (Fisman 2).
Conclusion
In order for bureaucracy...
While many critics believe that the existence of such bureaucratic standards within the workplace exist only to serve those higher up in the company, the truth remains that the existence of bureaucracy itself is to serve the greater whole. In bureaucratically-run businesses, employees and stakeholders are treated in a manner that allows them to be efficient in their position as well as valued and respected for the part they play in the greater mission of the organization. Research has proven that bureaucratic businesses are more efficient, and despite the notion that bureaucracy is stagnant in terms of innovation, notable companies have proven and continue to prove that this is certainly not the case.
Works Cited
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Fisman, Ray. "In Defense of Middle Management: A New Study Demonstrates Just How
Important Bureaucracy and Paperwork Really Are" Slate Business Journal. 2010 October 23. Web. Retrieved from: http://www.slate.com/articles/business / moneybox/2010/10/in_defense_of_middle_management.html [Accessed on 23 March 2012].
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