Describe the various characteristics of a bureaucracy

Bureaucracy is a type of organizational structure described by Weber characterized by task specialization, hierarchal management, formal rule of or selection, achievement-based advancement, impersonal environments, efficient and uniform requirements. Such a structure helps to improve business efficiency (Peek, 2018).

Task specialization, according to Weber, is an essential feature of bureaucracy as it helps to finish the task in a timely manner with extreme specialization (Peek, 2018). The task is divided amongst members based on the expertise and competencies with clearly distinguish roles and responsibilities to increase efficiency. The hierarchical management is also advocated by Weber as an essential feature involving several layers, with the one above supervising the team functioning under them and they themselves being controlled by the higher management. Those on the top of the hierarchy have the highest power, which reduces as we go down. This hierarchical structure helps in the fluency of communication and again provided the advantage of defined roles.

Furthermore, bureaucracy also follows a set of rules for the selection of employees, which are purely based on their technical skills gained through education, experience and hence paid a fixed salary and a contract apt for their position (Peek, 2018). Also, promotions are based purely on achievements and how qualified and experienced one is as opposed to personal favors and flattering. This is possible if an impersonal environment co-exists in the organization, which is the next characteristic as it prevents favoritism and nepotism and reduces unhealthy politics. Weber also believed in uniformity that comes into play through strict enforcement of rules which aids in the smooth functioning of the company. And it's the company's top executives who are responsible for implementing new roles and renewing old ones.