2. 4. Copyright 10. The key difference between line authority and staff authority is that line authority reflects superior-subordinate relationships characterized by the power of decision making whereas staff authority refers to the right to advice on improving the effectiveness for line employees in performing their duties. This staff consists of persons attached to the key executives. Hence, it is quite expensive and small and medium-sized concerns cannot afford it. Advantages and Disadvantages of Functional Organizational Structure TOS 7. Over-dependence on staff will make line officers less creative. Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division We Learn – A Continuous Learning Forum Advantages of line and staff organisation Disadvantages of line and staff organisation Facilitates to work faster and better If powers are not defined then get confusion Specialization is attained Line officers may reject advice without any reason for their action Enables to utilize experience and advice Staff … The unity of command is maintained in this type of organisation. 2. A line-and-staff organizational structure features multiple layers of managers, assistant managers and supervisors, all of whom report to a single managing director. They will feel unimportant and the quality of advice will also be adversely affected. 6. They emphasize their field of specialization without giving much thought to the overall interest of the company. The staff officers may also not be clear about their exact role. The blame for unsuccessful tasks is thrust on line managers even though they act on the advice of the staff. B. Promotional chances increase for deserving persons. The separation of functions of ‘planning’ and ‘doing’ also helps in creating more and more job opportunities. With the appointment of staff officers the burden of the officers is greatly reduced. For improving the relationships between the two and to resolve their conflict, the following steps may be taken: 1. It suggests how the relations are designed between a superior and a subordinate in an organization. (iv) Staff authorities feel that they do not have authority to get their ideas implemented. Hence, there is greater flexibility in the organisation. 3. In line organisat… The staff advice may be confused with line orders. Content Guidelines 2. (v) Staff take credit if the programme (as per the advice of the staff) is successful and blame the line if it is not successful. 4. The line managers have the following to say about the staff people: (i) Staff authority undermines line authority and interferes in the work of line managers. But the Staff Managers give an indirect contribution by providing advice and expertise on it. The line organisation represents the structure in a direct vertical relationship through which authority flows. 4. Thus, the organization takes advantage of functional organization while maintaining the unity of command. 2. Plagiarism Prevention 4. Confusion: If the pattern of authority relationship between line and staff executives is not clearly indicated, there may be considerable confusion throughout the organisation. There are only line… This type of organization was followed in the military so this is also called as the military organization. The line officers are left with routine administrative work. The choice of the organizational structure depends on the size of the firm among other factors. The conflict between line and staff officials adversely affects the work in the organisation. This organisation provides scope for advancement of career to able and dedicated employees. They should state reasons in case they cannot accept the advice. 5. (c) Line officers are not generally enthusiastic about the new ideas suggested by the staff. The line organization has the following advantages:1. Some assistants can be appointed to cope with the work if needed. The staff officers do not wield any power in the organisation. They will not give much thought to any activity since advice will be available from staff. Specialization: Line and staff organisation introduces specialization in a systematic manner. Following are the disadvantages of functional organization: i. This creates better understanding and discipline among employees. Sound Decisions: In this type, the decisions are made by experts and hence, there is a possibility of making sound managerial decisions. (ii) Line officers reject the advice without giving reasons. A line organisation has only direct, vertical relationships between different levels in the firm. Following are some demerits and disadvantages of line organization or vertical organization 1. 1. Whenever there is a need for certain a decision, they will be able to devote time and decide the things. (d) Staff officers do not have authority to implement their ideas. They try to persuade the line for implementing whatever they have suggested. This hampers smooth operation. Both line and staff should try to understand each other's responsibilities and difficulties and try to co-operate with each other for the achievement of enterprise objectives. Overlapping of functions will create confusion and disorder among employees. The staff personnel do not interfere with the executive work of line officers. This type of organisation is very expensive because a large number of specialists are appointed. 1. The advantages are mentioned below. They are not accountable for the actual results of operations. 7 main Disadvantages of Line and Staff Organisation(1) Line executives may start referring most of the problems to the staff officers. It helps the employees understand the hierarchy and the communication channels of the firm. These persons help their bosses in every possible way. These conflicts are not based on ideologies. Line employees (Managers) directly contribute towards the organizational goals. Expert Advice: The staff officers provide expert advice and guidance to line officers and by this, the enterprise as a whole gets benefit. 2. Matrix organization for a small and large business: An outline, advantages, disadvantages, conclusion. Line officers should give due consideration to staff advice. The following diagram shows line and staff organisation: This organisation has the following advantages: Line and staff organisation introduces specialization in a systematic manner. Persons with specialized knowledge are … They will be able to devote their time in supervising the implementation of various plans and policies. Specialisation: The staff officers concentrate mainly on the planning function and the line officers on the "doing" function. Let us learn in detail about the Line and Staff Organization of a firm. 3. concept "Matrix-Organisation" exists. Discipline: Since workers have to work under different bosses, it is difficult to maintain discipline among them. Conflict between Line and Staff: One more important disadvantage is the conflict between the line and staff officers. (iii) Line officers are slow to accept new ideas and they resist change. 1) Simplicity. They fix routine meetings, open the post, maintain diaries and accompany the boss on official visits. Staff experience can provide a great deal of credibility with colleagues when a manager switches from a staff role to a line role. ADVANTAGES OF LINE AND STAFF ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE 2. In this type, a greater variety of responsible jobs are available and this provides more opportunities for advancement of capable workers. Staff personnel have the following complaints: (a) Line officers do not make proper use of expert knowledge of the staff. Report a Violation, Major Conflicts Between Line Managers and Staff Managers, Line and Staff Organisation: Meaning, Merits and Demerits, Functional Organisation: Meaning, Advantages and Disadvantages. Expensive: This type requires the appointment of a large number of experts involving heavy expenditure. Line should value the special skills of staff and similarly the staff should try to appreciate the difficulties in implementing new ideas. Thus, this syste… Disadvantages Of Line And Staff Organization ... Also Read: Advantages Of Line And Staff Organization. Opportunities for Advancement. 7. The line and staff organisation is quite suitable for growth and expansion. Flexibility: Staff can be added to the line and new activities may be introduced without disturbing the line procedure. The staff can also be used to investigate and advise on inter-departmental relationships. Therefore, employees are skilled in tasks pertaining to their departments alone. 5. This is because each department manager is concerned only with the activities of his own department. The quantum of authority is highest at the top and reduces at each successive level down the hierarchy. The paper examined staff welfare and organization s productivity, using Patani Local Government Council in Delta State, Nigeria as a reference. The staff authority is assigned the following functions: It has to discharge the functions such as: It has to help in co-ordination of work among different departments. Under this, the line of authority flows vertically downward from top to bottom throughout the organization. Lack of Specialization.Different types of jobs are looked after, supervised and control by executive. As principle of unity of command is not followed, there are conflicts among staff experts and line executives leading to physical and financial loss. Advantages of Line Positions The persons being experts in their fields, they demand higher emoluments. But the authority with the staff managers is less concrete. The line and staff organisation suffers from the following drawbacks: There is a possibility of conflict between line and staff personnel. The line officers, on the other hand, complain of interference by staff persons in the day-to-day working. Authority is related to decision–making power, which is a key aspect in any type of organization. (d) Though staff officers are well qualified and have good knowledge of their field but try to dominate line officers. They are actual doers and generally do not possess specialized knowledge to solve complex problems. 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