Question

Consider the following statements per Smithburg's analysis of behavioralism:

1. It views administration as a social system, balancing formal and informal relationships, with emphasis on informal communication.

2. Behavioral approach replaces sovereignty theory with legitimacy, analyzing why individuals obey orders through leadership and motivation.

3. It prioritizes individual personality aspects over rational structures, but ignores cognitive processes in decision-making.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1, 2 and 3
• D. 1 and 3 only

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1 and 2 only

Smithburg's Analysis of Behavioralism in Administration

• Statement 1: Administration as a Social System
  • Behavioralism, as analyzed by Smithburg, posits that administration is fundamentally a social system.
  • This perspective emphasizes the interplay between formal organizational structures (rules, hierarchies) and informal relationships (social dynamics, personal interactions).
  • A key insight is the significant role of informal communication in organizational functioning, often complementing or even superseding formal channels. This contrasts with earlier classical theories that primarily focused on formal structures.
• Statement 2: Shift from Sovereignty to Legitimacy
  • The behavioral approach marks a departure from the classical focus on the sovereignty theory of authority (where authority resides in the position).
  • Instead, it introduces the concept of legitimacy, examining why individuals accept and follow orders.
  • This obedience is analyzed through factors like effective leadership, which inspires trust and respect, and appropriate motivation techniques that align individual needs with organizational goals.
  • This focus on the human element and psychological drivers of compliance is a hallmark of behavioralism.
• Statement 3: Focus on Personality and Cognitive Processes (Incorrect assertion)
  • While behavioralism does give considerable weight to individual personality aspects and their influence on behavior within organizations, it does not entirely ignore cognitive processes.
  • However, the statement's claim that it ignores cognitive processes in decision-making is inaccurate. Later developments within the behavioral tradition, influenced by thinkers like Herbert Simon, extensively explored bounded rationality and cognitive limitations in decision-making.
  • Therefore, this statement, as presented, is not fully representative of Smithburg's likely interpretation or the broader behavioral school's evolution.

Key Figures and Context

• Behavioralism emerged as a reaction against the perceived limitations of the classical and neo-classical approaches to public administration.
• Prominent figures associated with the behavioral movement include Herbert Simon (known for 'Administrative Behavior'), Chester Barnard, and Abraham Maslow (Hierarchy of Needs).
• This school of thought paved the way for later developments like the systems approach and contingency theory by highlighting the complexity of human behavior in organizations.