|
||
|
|
|
October/November 2004 |
Volume 45, Number 2 |
|
||||||||
|
Simplicity from ComplexityI was more than a little surprised recently when my organizational communication textbook, Organizational Communication in an Age of Globalization, began praising bureaucracy as an organizational structure. Bureaucracy? I don't think I've ever heard bureaucracy referred to in a positive light. I know personally that if I feel I'm getting the red-tape-runaround from an organization, the last thing on my mind is that bureaucracy is a good thing. And I certainly didn't expect bureaucracy to be painted in such a positive light in a textbook about organizational communication. It turns out the book is extolling the virtues of bureaucracy based on the historical conditions that created it. In addition, in its pure form (which the authors acknowledge doesn't really exist), bureaucracy is an organizational structure that provides a wide division of labor, a system of hiring based on skill, and a chance to be promoted based on seniority and/or achievement. The book went on to point out the many negative aspects of bureaucracy as well, and described the many post-bureaucratic business structures that have been designed to facilitate a more human and democratic business environment. But too late! My curiosity was already aroused so I sat back and thought about the whole topic a little more. It seems to me that an organization's structure, whether it be primarily bureaucratic or not, must be one of the major influences over the way communication takes place within that organization and between that organization and the outside world. What a great indicator of how to deal with an organization! Whether you're applying for a job, trying to land a contract, or already working for a company, the structure of the organization is a guiding light that can lead you to success. It's an excellent indicator of what kind of communication (if any) is lacking from a company, and how successful you will be when trying to provide it. When I think of bureaucracy, I think of the Federal Government. Have you ever tried to apply for a job with the government at USAJobs.com? Some jobs require a major pre-employment screening test that takes hours to complete, and if you don't complete the application within 24 hours, your profile is erased and you have to start all over! But look at what (technical) communication has done for the Internal Revenue Service. You're probably all familiar with the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, which resulted in user-friendly forms and a well-designed Website. Just imagine how many tech-comm jobs would be created if every other branch of the Federal Government, as well as State, County, and City governments followed the IRS' lead. I decided to apply my theory on structure and communication to my current position as well. Surprisingly, I found the school system to be very bureaucratic in nature. We have a very top-down communication path; what the Superintendent and the Board of Education say, goes. I've rarely seen the Superintendent in person, and the Area Superintendent over my department has only appeared in person twice—once when an anonymous complaint was filed again the Director of my department, and last year when we went through our annual round of layoffs. It's something I never would have given much thought to if I hadn't been surprised by my textbook's unorthodox opinion on bureaucracy. I would have just coasted along, going with the flow, trying to play by the rules, but now I have a much better game plan for proving my worth and securing a different position, should one come along that appeals to me. My venture into the land of bureaucracy reinforced my belief that keeping an open mind is an important thing. Had I dismissed the original statement in my textbook that bureaucracy is a good thing as ridiculous and dated, I wouldn't have explored the topic any further and enriched my understanding of how to deal with bureaucratic structure in organizations. In fact, I've been reminded that presenting an unpopular viewpoint is a great way to grab someone's attention, as long as you're ready to justify your position or qualify your statement to express what you truly believe. Source CitedOrganizational Communication in an Age of Globalization: Issues, Reflections, Practices  |
|||||||
|
||||||||
|
© Copyright 2004 |
||||||||
