A modification of this structure is line and staff organisation under which specialists are attached to line executives to provide them specialized assistance on matters of great importance to the enterprise. There is a likelihood that some persons may be given favours and deserving persons, on the other hand, may be ignored. On the contrary, project organization structures like the matrix structure distribute power between functional and project managers. Conditions for Success of Line Organisation 3. Your email address will not be published. He need not to waste time in getting instructions from above. A line and staff organizational structure is a variation of the original structure. There should be a hierarchical arrangement of giving commands. Regulatory compliance means sticking to the laws [Read] about 5 Ways your Company can Achieve Regulatory Compliance. Another benefit of line organizations is that they tend to be relatively efficient and decisive in their decision-making and implementation. Expert Advice: The staff officers provide expert advice and guidance to line officers and by this, the enterprise as a whole gets benefit. 5. Lundy, It is characterised by direct lines of authority flowing from the top to the bottom of the organisational hierarchy and lines of responsibility flowing in an opposite but equally direct manner.. (c) It enables clear cut definition of authority and responsibility. Some of these drawbacks have been discussed here: In line organisation too much is expected from executives. The message can be passed on only through the manager who has the authority over both the departments. (3) Limited Superior-Subordinate Communication: A line organization generally does not encourage subordinates to communicate with their managers. Further, it promotes the unity of command. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Simplicity: This system is very simple and can operate very easily. David Ingram has written for multiple publications since 2009, including "The Houston Chronicle" and online at Business.com. Unity of Command: . Authority conflict is a common issue in organizational structures with multiple command officers like matrix and line and staff structures. What are the advantages and disadvantages of line and staff organization? The system is not very successful specially after a number of complexities set in. Improving Line and Staff Relationship 1. There is an absolute lack of functional specialization. Many subordinates do so because they lack ability to judge whether the decision is right or wrong, but the mischievous ones among them may carry out even apparently wrong decisions to pinpoint the incompetence of manager. Based on this statistical analysis, remote work is not going anywhere . whereas Staff is white collared & directly connected to fixed costs, administration, legal matters etc. It means a subordinate is responsible to only one superior. However, it should be remembered that it works best in small and medium-sized companies. The workload of line officers would be reduced to some extent, It promotes the efficient functioning of the line officers The principles of unity of command are followed in the line and staff organization. For example, at the lowest levels, all workers may perform a similar activity, but for control and supervision they may be divided into different groups, each placed under a foreman. This is the oldest type of organisation in use and has followed till recently in the army in its pure form. In addition to the tax accounting example given above, other functions that lend themselves well to staff management positions include legal advice and quality control. Effective Control and Supervision: Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. This may also upset the foremens control over his immediate subordinate machine-men (including this particular machine-man) in general. General Manager. Advantages of a linear structure. Image Guidelines 4. Even within a department, there may be several sub-departments or units. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. APR what is it and how to calculate it for a loan? This is one of the reasons why there is inefficiency in the traditional organizational structure. (a) Pure Line Organisation: In pure line organisation, the activities at any one level are the same and all the individuals perform the same type of work and the divisions or departments are made for the sake of control and direction. Sometimes, several sub-departments are formed within one department for effective administration purposes. Similarly, they can not devote time to supervise their subordinates. Simplicity. 5. The line organisation represents the structure in a direct vertical relationship through which authority flows. A linear structure will work best for smaller businesses and at the very beginning of a companys operations. This also helps in having better control because the subordinates will be under constant watch. If they are not able the enterprise will not be successful. In a line organization, authority follows the chain of command. Red Tapism and Bureaucracy: Concentration of authority in the hands of a single man shall result in red tapism at all levels. A group of employees is controlled by one individual. In a simple organization, there is a chain of command from the top level to the bottom level management. Reference for Business: Line-and-Staff Organizations, TransTutors.com: Advantages of Line and Staff Structure Organization, Disadvantages of a Line & Staff Organization Structure, Organizational Structures in the Workplace, Features of the Line & Staff Organization Structure, Forms and Characteristics of an Organizational Structure. Under this structure, there is a direct line of authority from the superior to the subordinate level through an unbroken chain. B. Communication- Communication is fast and easy as there is only vertical flow of communication. (f) Flexibility This type of organisation is elastic. Specialization. Is working for a manufacturing company right for you? 6. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Directness: Since the authority flows directly from the immediate superior, each employee knows to whom he is responsible. In the departmental line organisation, the general manager may be put in-charge of the whole organisation. Each sub-department is look after by one supervisor and adequate number of workers are working under them. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Since they are to take decisions with regard to every aspect of business, the quality of decisions may suffer. 6. Management should not ignore the guidance and development advice offered by functional officers. Each organizational structure has its specific characteristics. Each department manager derives his authority from the chief executive and, in turn, delegates authority to his immediate subordinates. This type of organisation is in accordance with the principle of scalar chain. Although there is communication from top to bottom there is usually no communication from the lower ranks to higher ranks and executives. Workplace adaptability is a key skill that gives you a better understanding of a fulfilling professional life. This may become the reason for lack of co-ordination among different departments. There are no supportive units for accounting, labour, etc. Clearly defined rights and responsibilities of all managers and employees create conditions for quick decision-making. Advantages of Line Organisation: ADVERTISEMENTS: Line organisation offers the following advantages: (a) It is simple to operate and easy to understand. 4. Line organizational structure is common in entrepreneurship and small businesses. The top-down approach helps streamline communication. However, there is a risk: in this structure the functions of managers sometimes overlap and when a problem arises it is difficult to determine whose fault it is. Line should value the special skills of staff and similarly the staff should try to appreciate the difficulties in implementing new ideas. v. Prompt Decisions- As the superiors enjoy full authority, quick decisions are taken by them. 2. The clarity of authority and tasks within the company introduces discipline. Quick Decisions: . He knows whose orders he is to obey and to whom he will be accountable for his work performance. For the three indicators of inclusionequality, openness, and belongingwe found particularly high levels of negative sentiment about equality and fairness of opportunity. Households and businesses can appreciate the benefits of having a credit card for immediate spending needs. It is the oldest form of organization. Or, airlifting Indians from strife-torn foreign countries (remember, Libya and Afghanistan). Teamined.com is a meeting room for employer and employee that will help you build positive employer branding or get your dream job. As a result of this direction, guidance and restraint are easily achieved in this type of organisation. Above all the departmental heads, there is a general manager to whom all the department heads are responsible. Line officers should give due consideration to staff advice. There are a number of benefits of line and staff organization, in the sense that it gives relief to the line managers and they can concentrate on the implementation of policies and plans. Prof. Florence enunciates three principles which are necessary to realise the advantages of this system, and the non-observance of which would involve inefficiency. Advantages of Line Organization Below are some merits and advantages of line organization or vertical organization 1. Thus, for an inter-departmental message, there is a long and time consuming journey. So it can be operated simply and clearly. are made as it is in the case of a ladder. It does not involve a large number of people. The concept of line organization holds that in any organization derived from a scalar process, there must be a single head who commands it. Further it is easier to fix up the responsibility if there is any lapse anywhere in the performance of activities. Subordinates have no freedom to do their job. It follows the principle of chain of command and scalar chain. This reporting structure has distinct advantages, such as relieving upper-level managers of the responsibility for making low-level decisions and allowing lower-level managers to . All the staff members of the organization clearly understand the their jobs and responsibility easily. He does not have to carry out orders of two or more managers, thus clearing any confusion about whose orders to give priority in performance. And, every employee is directly responsible to his immediate superior. Everything you need to know about the line organisational . He/ she is fully responsible for running the department. The adjustments in the organisation can be easily made to suit the changing conditions. He may neglect some of the duties and there may be inefficiency in management. It is by far the oldest form of organization. (ii) It facilitates unity of command and thus conforms to the scalar principle of organisation. As a result of this direction, guidance and restraint are easily achieved in this type of organisation. 5 Ways your company can Achieve regulatory compliance means sticking to the subordinate level through an unbroken chain to about... In small and medium-sized companies Libya and Afghanistan ) countries ( remember, Libya and Afghanistan ) obey to. Not to waste time in getting instructions from above of staff and similarly staff! V. Prompt Decisions- as advantages of line organisation superiors enjoy full authority, quick decisions are taken by them above the... That gives you a better understanding of a companys operations reporting structure has distinct advantages, as! V. Prompt Decisions- as the superiors enjoy full authority, quick decisions are taken them... 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