Intraorganizational Structural Variation: Application of the Bureaucratic Model

Variations in structure within organizations were studied using the bureaucratic model. It was demonstrated that organizational segments, both vertical and horizontal, varied significantly in their degree of bureaucratization. This variation existed along six selected dimensions of bureaucracy, which were measured by questionnaires completed by employees. The type of task performed by the organizational segment was found to be an important determinant of the variation. It was suggested that the use of the bureaucratic model in this manner simplifies the approach to intraorganizational variation. Richard H. Hall is instructor, Department of Sociology, Indiana University.