Final answer:
A bureaucratic organization, according to Max Weber, is best exemplified by a hierarchical structure with clear lines of authority, as it aligns with the principles of bureaucracy such as order, efficiency, and standardized procedures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Max Weber contended that a bureaucratic organization is the most efficient organizational type. Among the given options, what exemplifies a bureaucratic organization is a hierarchical structure with clear lines of authority. This structure ensures a well-defined division of labor and establishes explicit rules and procedures within the organization. Additionally, bureaucracies operate under a system of impersonality where decisions and operations are made based on set rules rather than personal preferences or arbitrary decision-making.
Thus, of the options provided, option 1) Hierarchical structure with clear lines of authority, is the one that best fits Weber's description of a bureaucracy. Options such as flexible and decentralized decision-making, informal communication channels, and ad hoc decision-making processes are typically not characteristics of a bureaucratic system, which prizes order, efficiency, and standardized procedures above all.