List and describe four shortcomings of bureaucracies.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary. The shortcomings of bureaucracies are as follows:1. Weak reward systems reduce the motivation to do a good job and are thus a major source of inefficiency and lack of innovation.2. Rigid rules squelch creativity and can lead to goal displacement, a preoccupation with rules and regulations rather than achieving an organization's objectives.3. Rigid rules and goal displacement often lead to alienation, a feeling of isolation, meaninglessness, and powerlessness.4. Communication problems are common in bureaucracies. Because communication typically flows down rather than up the hierarchy, employees rarely know what is going on.5. The iron law of oligarchy is the tendency of a bureaucracy to become increasingly dominated by a small group of people. A handful of people can control and rule a bureaucracy because the top officials and leaders monopolize information and resources.6. The cumulative effect of these and other bureaucratic dysfunctions is a dehumanization that stifles organizational creativity and freedom.Bureaucracies are plagued by other problems like favoritism and dishonest employee evaluations.