Causes of the Inefficiency of the Administrative Bureaucracy

Because “efficiency” is a quantitive concept, when we refer to efficiency or inefficiency of something, it is necessary to compare it with others. When we accuse the inefficiency of the administrative bureaucracy, it is compared with that of the private enterprise bureaucracy. Why is the work in the city office or the post office less efficient and kindly than in the bank or the department store? This is our question.Viewing from this standpoint, R. K. Merton's dysfunction theory of the bureaucracy is insufficient. For, he thinks the rigorous discipline in the bureaucracy causes overconformity to the official rules and, therefore, the inefficiency of the bureaucracy. The rigorous discipline may be seen in the private enterprise bureaucrcy as well as the administrative bureaucracy. Recently it may be more rigorous in the former than in the latter.To discover true causes of the inefficiency of the administrative bureaucracy, it is necessary to compare it with private enterprise bureaucracy. In this article, the author tries to compare, especially about the differences of the organization purpose, the power structure, the meanig of the works and the rules, and the motivations of the workers. And as the conclusion, contrary to P. M. Blau's theory, the author thinks it necessary to strengthen disciplines in the administrative bureaucracy to resume its efficiency.