~ [[Bureaucracy|Bureaucracy MOC]] - Bureaucracy is a control mechanism. The control mechanism exists because of a lack of trust, either from the 'controller' or their superiors. Links to Weber's maxim [["Bureaucracy develops the more perfectly the more it is 'dehumanized'."]] as it is about having control over human beings and maximise compliance. [[In a bureaucracy, you have to ask who is tiptoeing around a decision ]] - this is because there is a trust deficit, and there is risk avoidance rather than empowered judgment. There is also a connection with innovation and creativity- these things are stymied when there is a lack of trust, or a framework for people to operate in. This paradoxically undermines the dynamic capabilities the organisations need to succeed. ## Counterarguments - However it's important to note who benefits from bureaucracy. It should be about ensuring equitable decision making. This was Weber's original intent. But it's often not. See [[Governance without utility is bureaucracy]]. - Also bureaucracy can come from cognitive and coordination limitations due to the scale and complexity of large organisations. - [[Bureaucracy persists because it provides social legitimacy and signals competence]]. In other words "institutional isomorphism, both structural and procedural, will earn the organisation legitimacy." - Bureaucracy could actually build trust? Manages and prevents corruption, provides regulatory quality and political legitimacy. - [[Trust (in teams)]] comes from behaviours repeating. This is something that bureaucracy excels at.