The passage describes a bureaucratic environment where the creation of numerous guidance documents, instructions, and policies occurs at high levels of the organization. Although these documents are meticulously produced, they often end up neglected and have little impact on employees' actual work practices. This highlights a disconnect between policy-making and practical application.
Moreover, the emphasis on following procedural steps to generate these documents indicates a focus on compliance rather than effectiveness. The process of creating procedures becomes an end in itself, reflecting a cultural tendency towards maintaining formalities instead of fostering genuine improvements in work performance.