EFFECT OF BUREAUCRACY ON EMPLOYEES PRODUCTIVITY: A CASE OF ENUGU STATE WATER CORPORATION

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study

        Bureaucracy is an administrative or social system that relies on a set of rules and procedures, separation of functions and a hierarchical structure in implementing controls over an organization, government or social system. Although some form of bureaucracy is necessary for large, efficiently run organizations, there is much debate over whether the theory is every manifested in practice. The point here is that bureaucracy brings about delay in decision making, does not allow for innovation and response to emergency situation. There by showing that, the manner in which an organizational structure is set up and administered can have a direct effect on company productivity.

        Hence, it can be said that, employees’ participation in decision making and in the administration of an organization promotes employees productivity. Strict application bureaucratic principles brings about delay in service delivery, under exploration of employees’ talents, expertise and intellectual abilities. Thus, Igweobi (2009) stated that, the solid foundation of any successful company is its people. Employees represent a source of knowledge and idea, but oftentimes that resource remains untapped. Involving employees in the managerial, administrative process and decision-making processes not only empower them to contribute to the success of an organization, but also saves the company time and money, increase productivity and reduce outsourcing. Also, Oduma (2006) stated that,  the increase in responsibility expands employee skill sets, preparing them for additional responsibility in the future. Employees participation in decision-making process irrespective of their rank in an organization leads to job satisfaction, employees commitment and increase rate of circulation of information that can lead to the realization of the corporate objectives of an organization.         Observably however, some administrators and managers of some organizations believe so much in the strict application of bureaucratic principles that they do not allow employees  and subordinates to participate in decision making processes and in the day-to-day administration and management of the organization. Some of them hold the erroneous believe that allowing employees to carryout certain job responsibility will make them understand the secretes  of the organisation and which might result in the subordinate taking over their position from them.

EFFECT OF BUREAUCRACY ON EMPLOYEES PRODUCTIVITY: A CASE OF ENUGU STATE WATER CORPORATION