chapter 6 Flashcards
groups, organizations and the rise of the network society (20 cards)
McDonaldisation of society
a process by which the principles of the fast-food industry come to be applied to more and more features of social life
social group
two or more people that interact or identify with one another
primary group
small social group whose members share personal and enduring relationships
secondary group
large and impersonal social group whose members pursue a specific interest or activity
reference group
a social group that serves as a point of reference in making evaluations or decisions
dyad
a social group with two members
triad
a social group with tree members
formal organisations
large, secondary groups that are organized to achieve their goals efficiently
utilitarian organisation
provides material rewards for its members
normative organisation
pursue goals that they consider morally worthwhile
coercive organisation
distinguished by involuntary membership
bureaucracy
an organizational model rationally designed to perform complex tasks efficiently (Max Weber)
key elements of bureaucracy
specialization; heirarchy of offices; rules and regulations; technical competence; impersonality; formal, written communications
bureaucratic ritualism
a preoccupation with rules and regulations to the point of thwarting an organisation’s goals
bureaucratic inertia
the tendency of bureaucratic organisations to perpetuate themselves
oligarchy
the rule of the many by the few
total institutions
settings in which people are isolated from the rest of society and manipulated by an administrative staff
Parkinson’s law
“work expands to fill the time available for its completion”
humanising bureaucracy
fostering a more democratic organisational atmosphere that recognizes and encourages the contributions of everyone
social network
a web of social ties that links people who identify with one another
