Final answer:
Formalization in bureaucracies is intended to make employee behavior predictable due to the establishment of clear and strict rules. While it can improve efficiency and productivity, it does not necessarily enhance motivation or innovativeness, and can make it difficult to adjust to new situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is formalization in an organizational context, specifically referring to the aspect of making employee behavior predictable. Formalization in bureaucracies is a process that involves establishing clear, written rules and procedures. The most direct answer to the question is that formalization makes employee behavior predictable. This is because formal norms are the most specific and clearly stated of various types of norms and are usually the most strictly enforced.
Formalization can lead to increased efficiency and productivity by providing a clear chain of command and explicit rules, which were critical during the Industrial Revolution. However, in today's information age, excessive adherence to rigid protocols can decrease productivity and efficiency. Formalization may provide for quicker decision-making in some cases due to the clear set of rules and procedures, but it does not necessarily enhance employee motivation or lead to greater innovativeness. In fact, Theory X management assumes workers need control and punishment, while Theory Y suggests that workers seek to work hard and productively, indicating that motivation and innovation are more likely when employees are empowered rather than controlled.
Bureaucracies can efficiently serve large volumes of customers, but the impersonality and strict rules can lead to difficulties in adjusting to unique situations, which might hinder innovation and motivation.