SECTION A In this section you will hear a
mini-lecture. You will hear the lecture ONCE ONLY. While listening, take notes
on the important points. Your notes will not be marked, but you will need them
to complete a gap-filling task after the mini-lecture. 144ten the lecture is
over, you will be given two minutes to check your notes ,and another ten minutes
to complete the gap-filling task on ANSWER SHEET ONE. Use the blank sheet for
note-taking. Characteristics of a Bureaucracy People usually
hold negative opinion towards bureaucracy, but according to Max Weber,
bureaucracy has five characteristics, which entail both positive and negative
influences on the society. Division of Labor Specialized
experts are employed in each position to perform specific
tasks. Positive influence: becoming highly skilled and working with
1 1.
______. Negative influence: Trained incapacity: workers become
so specialized that they develop blind spots and cannot notice
2
2. ______. Serious threat to
the unemployed. Sex discrimination due to unnecessary distinctions
between men and women. Hierarchy of Authority Each position
is under supervision of a 3
3. ______. Positive influence: bringing women advantage
at lower levels of bureaucracy. Negative influence: preventing women
from being promoted to higher positions Women are viewed more as
4 than as innovators, not aggressive enough
4. ______. to serve in higher management posts. Written
Rules and Regulations All the work in a bureaucracy is carried out
in accordance to specific rules and regulations. Positive influence:
Ensuring 5 of every task.
5.
______. Offering employees clear job performance
standards. Creating a sense of 6 in a bureaucracy.
6.
______. Negative influence: Leading to goal displacement, i.e. rules
becoming more important than achieving certain objective.
7
7. ______. Duty is
carried out without personal consideration of people as
individuals. Positive influence: ensuring 8 of each
person
8. ______. Negative influence:
leading to cold and uncaring feelings of modern organizations Employment
Based on Technical Qualifications Hiring is based on technical
qualifications, and performance is measured against specific
standards. Positive influence: 9 can be more open
and fair.
9. ______. Loyalty to the organization can
be encouraged. Negative influence: talented people being promoted
continuous till they get to positions 10
10. ______.