Max Weber and Chester I. Barnards Administrative Organization Theory
Introduction
Max Weber and Chester I. Barnard were two prominent theorists of the twentieth century who had a great influence on the discipline of organizational theory. Their theories had a tremendous impact on the development of the field, particularly in areas related to bureaucracy and authority in organizations. In this paper, we will discuss the theories of Weber and Barnard and how their ideas on administration impacted the development of organizational theory.
Webers Theory
Max Weber was a German sociologist who is widely regarded as one of the most influential social theorists of the twentieth century. His work focused heavily on the development of bureaucracy, or the “iron cage” of rationality (Gouldner, 1975). Weber believed that bureaucracy was a rational and efficient form of organizing that would be beneficial for large organizations. He argued that bureaucracy was essential for the efficient and rational management of complex tasks in large-scale organizations.
Webers theory of bureaucracy was based on the premises that bureaucracy was characterized by a “specialized division of labour” and a “strict hierarchical structure based on the concept of ‘authority’” (Gouldner, 1975). He argued that authority should be distributed in an orderly, hierarchical fashion, with each individual having a specific set of duties. By doing this, Weber claimed that an organization could optimize efficiency and ensure that all employees followed the same set of rules. Webers theory emphasized that bureaucracy was necessary for organizations to be efficient and rational in their functioning.
Barnards Theory
Chester I. Barnard was an American business executive who is widely considered one of the most important figures in the development of organizational theory. He developed a theory of organizational behavior, which was largely based on the notion of cooperation. Barnard argued that for organizations to be successful, there must be a coordination of the tasks of the individuals that make up the organization. Barnard argued that individuals must have both a strong motivation to perform their duties and a sincere belief in the legitimate authority of the organization in order for the organization to achieve success.
Barnard proposed that organizations must operate with an “awareness of a common purpose and coordinating processes” (Barnard, 1938). He argued that cooperation and communication between individuals in an organization were necessary for it to function effectively. Additionally, he argued that organizations must have a system of reward and punishment that would motivate employees to behave in accordance with the organizations goals.
Conclusion
Max Weber and Chester I. Barnard have left an indelible mark on the discipline of organizational theory. Their theories of bureaucracy and authority have had a profound impact on the development of the field. Webers conception of bureaucracy provided a basis for the efficient and rational management of large-scale organizations. Additionally, Barnards theory of organizational behavior has been instrumental in understanding the role of cooperation and communication in organizational success. Both Weber and Barnard’s theories have had a lasting influence on the field of organizational theory, and their ideas continue to be used in the field today.
