beauracrativ stucture and personality
rules, pride of craft, sense of common destiny etc. This is another theoretical finding of the article.
Merton argues that bureaucracy is inherently problematic as it takes people and creates in them “trained incapacity”. Its structure produces rigid personalities, which cause it to dysfunction. The goals of the organisation are lost while concentrating on the means. I believe that even though bureaucracy has a few problems, it is still a necessity for organisations to function. As without it, there would be chaos. However, to some extent, I do agree with Robert K. Merton. The human factor in bureaucracies brings about an uncertainty to the outcomes which were intended. Our sentiments govern our actions and take over our rational thinking. We tend to ignore the rule as it gives us a sense of power and resistance. We like to be our own boss. This does not fit the hierarchical structure of bureaucracy and so our personalities clash with this structure.
Rules need to be changed as time goes on. If they are not changed then trained incapacity is created within us. This is another reason why I find that the authors arguments are convincing and the concept of trained incapacity is valid.
Bureaucracy also restricts innovation and new ideas, and so as world markets change, the concept of ‘Ideal Bureaucracy’