A critique of the bureaucratic theory: the Nigerian civil service experience

Abstract

This paper presents a critique of the bureaucratic theory: The Nigerian Civil Service experience. The descriptive research approach was adopted for the study and the questionnaire instrument was used in data collection. Descriptive statistic was used in data analysis while multiple regression analysis was used in the test of hypotheses. It was discovered that hierarchical arrangement of staff significantly influence the Nigerian Civil Service and led to delays in decision making in the civil service. Further findings revealed that management by formal rule does not influences the Nigerian Civil Service. However, too many rules hinders employee's ability in response to turbulent environment. This situation make workers fixated and the bureaucratic nature of the civil service hardly creates room for change, hence high resistance to change. It was recommended that thorough and coherent reforms which will enshrine adequate institutionalization of Weberian ideal tenets of bureaucracy should be carried out in the civil service and attempt should be made to adopt the flat structure rather than the pinnacle hierarchical arrangement in order to enhance decision making and communication flow in the civil service.

Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Tax as Panacea to Backlog of Gratuities and Pensions of Civil Servants in Nigeria

“…Studies by Friedman (2022); Sui, Ding, Zu and Zhao (2022); Ash, Morelli and Vannoni (2020); and Das (2017) termed as the first group of literature review were conducted in countries other than Nigeria; thus, differences in location alone justify the conduct of the current study. Conversely, Lekaga (2020); Morgan et al (2019); Dominic and Peter (2018); Murana et al (2016) and Garba and Jirgi (2014) termed as the second group of literature review were conducted in Nigeria; thus, there is no differences in location here. However, for both the first and second group of reviewed literature, there are differences in the population or sample type, size, sampling method, research method, data collection, data analysis (National et al of America, 2024) that justify the conduct of this study.…”

“…Respondents agree that they are now part of the process of managing their benefits sequel to the 2004 pension reform act; however, they are still entertaining fears of getting their benefits timely on retirement. Morgan, Okon, and Emu (2019) conducted a study that critiqued the bureaucratic theory from the perspective of the Nigerian civil service experiences specifically to (1) determine the effect of hierarchical arrangement of staff in the Nigeria Civil Service (2) ascertain the effect of over rigidity of duties in the Nigeria Civil Service and (3) examine the impact of management by formal rule in the Nigeria Civil Service. The study collected primary data through the instrument of questionnaires administered to 200 federal civil servants spread across five Federal Ministries in Cross River State using census method.…”

Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Tax as Panacea to Backlog of Gratuities and Pensions of Civil Servants in Nigeria

“…Studies by Friedman (2022); Sui, Ding, Zu and Zhao (2022); Ash, Morelli and Vannoni (2020); and Das (2017) termed as the first group of literature review were conducted in countries other than Nigeria; thus, differences in location alone justify the conduct of the current study. Conversely, Lekaga (2020); Morgan, Okon, and Emu (2019); Dominic and Peter (2018); Murana, Olayinka and Omotayo (2016) and Garba and Jirgi (2014)termed as the second group of literature review were conducted in Nigeria; thus, there is no differences in location here. However, for both the first and second group of reviewed literature, there are differences in the population or sample type, size, sampling method, research method, data collection, data analysis (National University United States of America, 2024) that justify the conduct of this study.…”

The Nigerian Experience: Management of The Civil Service

“…i. The civil service in Nigeria should adopt well-articulated reform measures that will enshrine proper institutionalization of Weberian ideal tenets of bureaucracy (Morgan, et al 2019).…”