Answer :
Bureaucratic characteristics and the absence of flexibility in bureaucratic systems.
A bureaucracy is characterized by certain key features including hierarchy of authority, division of labor, formal rules, and impersonality. One characteristic not typically associated with bureaucracies is flexibility. Bureaucratic structures, exemplified by organizations like Walmart, prioritize efficiency and adherence to established protocols over adaptability to unique situations.
Final answer:
Flexibility is not a characteristic of bureaucracy; instead, bureaucracies are known for their hierarchy, division of labor, explicit rules, and impersonality.
Explanation:
The characteristic that is not a feature of a bureaucracy is Flexibility. Bureaucracies, as characterized by the sociologist Max Weber, typically have a hierarchy of authority, a clear division of labor, explicit rules, and a sense of impersonality. They are designed to be efficient and standardized organizations, which means that they are often rigid and not particularly adaptable to unique or new situations.