DYNAMICS OF A LEADER'S POWER IN A BUREAUCRATIC ORGANIZATION: CHARISMATICPOWER OVERRIDING THE LEGAL RATIONAL POWER

Abstract

This paper attempts to understand the nature of dynamics related to the operation of a leader's charismatic power over rational legal power vested in the main office or "leader" in a government organization. The mix of charismatic power and the rational legal bureaucratic power in effecting management control and coordination tend to cause dysfunctions. Weber's argument was that the rational legal power and the controls emanating from it ensure efficiency of large bureaucratic organizations. However, in reality cultural, social, political and other contextual factors intermingle with rational legal bureaucratic power and as a result many control dysfunctions manifest. Thus, the rational legal power based controls are destined to be "ideal type" as explained by Max Weber. The main methodology of the study has been derived from grounded theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). The research site is a Government university in Sri Lanka. It has been found that charismatic power of the leader can suppress the rational legal bureaucratic power and that as a result there can be functions and dysfunctions in the management controls and coordination of the organization.

Keywords: Charismatic power, Legal power, Bureaucratic organization, Control dysfunctions

For full Paper: fmscresearch@sjp.ac.lk