Buses Make the World Go Round

Abstract

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This case study is based on a situation faced by a public university official and provides opportunity to apply management concepts learnt in class. This case study presents a factual situation; however, for reasons of privacy and confidentiality the persons, organizations, and location are disguised. It highlights the dynamics of problems and decision making in bureaucratic public organizations under the influence of powerful actors. Bureaucratic organizations follow strict and impersonal rules within a legal and formal authority system. A well-defined chain of command in a hierarchical structure should provide opportunities for procedural correctness, standardization and impersonal work environment (Rainey, 2009). However, over emphasis on bureaucratic tenants may result in slow decision making, communication barriers and undue delays. Such lack of flexibility deters initiatives for creativity and innovation resulting in bureaucratic inertia (Purnomo et al., 2021). This case study focuses on internal and external actors who have to work with limited resources. Slow pace of technology adaptation in public sector adds to the problem. It also provides an opportunity to discuss the changes associated with the difference in work environments in public and private organizations. Obstacles in efficient communication, decision making, and bureaucratic hurdles in an organization are central to the situation presented in this case study