Editing Organizational theory (section)

===Criticism===

"There is dangerous risk of oversimplification in making Weber seem cold and heartless to such a degree that an efficiently-run Nazi death camp might appear admirable."<ref name=":1">Rollag, Keith. "[http://www.drtomoconnor.com/4090/4090lect02.htm Bureaucracy Theory]." ''Encyclopedia of Organization Theory''. Babson Park, MA: Babson College.</ref> In reality, Weber believed that by using human logic in his system, organizations could achieve improvement of human condition in various workplaces.

Another critique of Weber's theory is the argument of efficiency. Highest efficiency, in theory, can be attained through pure work with no regard for the workers (for example, long hours with little pay), which is why oversimplification can be dangerous. If we were to take one characteristic focusing on efficiency, it would seem like Weber is promoting unhealthy work conditions, when in fact, he wanted the complete opposite. Taking all of the characteristics that to Weber are hallmarks of bureaucracy, he recognized that a pure bureaucracy is nearly impossible to attain. Though his theories include characteristics of a highly efficient organization, these characteristics are only meant to serve as a model of how a bureaucratic organization works, recognizing that the manifestation of that model in life differs from the pure model.

With this said, the characteristics of Weber's theory have to all be perfect for a bureaucracy to function at its highest potential. "Think of the concept as a bureau or desk with drawers in it, which seems to call out to you, demanding that everything must fit in its place."<ref name=":1" /> If one object in the drawer does not fit properly, the entire drawer becomes untidy, which is exactly the case in Weber's theory; if one characteristic is not fulfilled the rest of them are unable to work in unison, leaving the organization performing below its full potential.

One characteristic that was meant to improve working conditions was his rule that "Organization follows hierarchical principle – subordinates follow orders or superiors, but have right of appeal (in contrast to more diffuse structure in traditional authority)."<ref name=":2">Rollag, Keith. "[http://faculty.babson.edu/krollag/org_site/encyclop/bureaucracy.html Bureaucracy (Weber)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224112221/http://faculty.babson.edu/krollag/org_site/encyclop/bureaucracy.html |date=2013-02-24 }}." ''Encyclopedia of Organization Theory''. Babson Park, MA: Babson College.</ref> In other words, everyone in a company or any sort of work environment has the opportunity and right to disagree or to speak up if they are unhappy with something rather than not voice their opinion in fear of losing their job. Open communication is a very important part of Weber's bureaucracy, and is practiced today. Because of the communication it may not be the most efficient, but Weber would argue that improved human conditions are more important than efficiency.

Weber's theory is not perfectly instantiated in real life. The elements of his theory are understood as "ideal types" and are not perfect reflections of individuals in their organizational roles and their interactions within organizations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ang |first=Yuen Yuen |date=September 2017 |title=Beyond Weber: Conceptualizing an alternative ideal type of bureaucracy in developing contexts |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rego.12123 |journal=Regulation & Governance |language=en |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=282–298 |doi=10.1111/rego.12123 |hdl=2027.42/138260 |s2cid=14853087 |issn=1748-5983|hdl-access=free }}</ref> Some individuals may regard Weber's model as good way to run an organization.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>Rollag, Keith. "[http://faculty.babson.edu/krollag/org_site/encyclop/weber_crit.html Criticism of Weberian Bureaucratic Theory]." ''Encyclopedia of Organization Theory''. Babson Park, MA: Babson College.</ref>