The Post-Bureaucratic Organization: New Perspectives on Organizational Change

What is wrong with bureaucracy? What does the post-bureaucratic organization offer in the way of improvement? These and other such questions are addressed in this volume which critically examines the implications of the transformation of organizations from bureaucratic to post-bureaucratic. Beginning with a definition of the 'ideal' post-bureaucratic organization, the book then critiques some of the fundamental assumptions of bureaucratic organizations such as, the ethic of individual merit, decision-making roles and coordinated effort. It also analyzes the process of change from bureaucracy to post-bureaucracy and three alternative approaches to bureaucracy. The book concludes with case studies which illustrate both the strengths and weaknesses of post-bureaucratic organizations.