Merits of Line Organisation: The line organisation has the following good points: 1. The lack of communication creates many problems for the smooth conduct of business. Unity of Command: . Line managers plan, and staff helps in execution and betterment. 3. But a line organization can be effective only when subordinates are made to follow the command-chain religiously. (ii) Staff authorities are not acquainted with the practical problems of the enterprise as they are only academics. Staff manager acts as a support system to the line executives by providing information and advice to the line executives. Quick Decision and Implementation 3. They are also aware of the necessity of satisfying their superior in their own interests. The simple organization is economical in operation. So line organisation enables the fixation of authority and responsibility. So, this type of organisation 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. Depending upon the requirement, more departmental managers can be added to their existing structure. According to referenceforbusiness.com, staff managers often play a support role to line managers. The chain of command goes from top to bottom. It can be easily understood by the employees. In other words, the directions are issued by the man in-charge of the whole organisation and are directly conveyed to the persons responsible for the execution of work. Where the scale of business is comparatively small. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function () { viAPItag.display("vi_1628583994") }). Encourages Carelessness: As the staff officer is not concerned with the execution of the plan, he may not take proper precautions and care before he advises the line officer. Functional structure introduces a division into functional departments headed by specialists. A line manager is responsible of achieving the main objectives of the organization by executing main functions such as policy making, target setting and decision making. Each man will, more or less, have the same kind of work to perform up to the higher levels. Line authority means giving the person a particular amount of control for specific tasks. In a line organization, authority follows the chain of command. Their boss is the foreman to whom they communicate their problems and suggestions and from whom they receive their orders. Staff include all of those that provide specialized skills in support of the line departments. Economical Disadvantages are: 1. Employees are expected to work on the same tasks without upskilling or learning about other aspects of the business. A flat structure elevates each employee's responsibility inside the organization and eliminates excess management layers to improve coordination and communication. Each position in the structure has an authority over a lower position. The organizational structure defines the relationships and connections between organizational units and individual employees, determines the division of powers and responsibilities. Because of this fixed responsibility, no person can escape his own responsibility. The lack of managerial specialisation is the demerit of line organisation. 2. 5. from top to bottom. They are bound to follow instructions from their superiors. Line organisation is easy to operate and less expensive. (ii) There is vertical flow of authority and responsibility. This is the simplest and oldest, known as chain of command or scalar principle. A superior delegates authority to a subordinate who in turn delegates authority to his subordinates and so on. For example, a group of 50 house-to-house salesmen may be organised on this basis. So it can be operated simply and clearly. Under this system, authority flows from the men at the top to the lowest man vertically. They are not provided with an opportunity to put forward their view point or problems or suggestions to persons at the top level. The line organisation represents the structure in a direct vertical relationship through which authority flows. Sound Decisions: In this type, the decisions are made by experts and hence, there is a possibility of making sound managerial decisions. Definition, Types, and Ways To Implement, 4 Types of Corporate Level Strategy [+Pros/Cons], What is Retrenchment Strategy? And others may be good at execution but not so when it comes to planning. Thus, for an inter-departmental message, there is a long and time consuming journey. These are issues that are vital to the company's success, but which do not require a large work group to accomplish. There is less probability of conflict. Line organization structure is also known as a simple organization or military organization. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts in management from Walsh University. Economical: . 4. The business unit may be divided into departments headed by departmental heads. Each staff is clear about his authority and . Line organization is simple to design, understand and operate. In smaller organizations, where the work is streamlined and tasks are assigned, its the most effective way to achieve your goals. However, a line and staff. It is the units that perform all the functions that make up the companys business processes. The suggestions and recommendations may not always be accepted. Advantages of Line Organizational Structure. Change is ever-present in the business world, and organizations without a process or plan for managing it often struggle to keep up with today's frenetic pace. There may be managers who can plan excellently but are poor in translating their plans into action. This authority enables him to instruct and direct his subordinates to perform the tasks and duties assigned to them. Last Updated on February 10, 2023 By Methew Harbor Leave a Comment. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. In the line organization, managers have to perform a wide range of functions. . Specialisation: The staff officers concentrate mainly on the planning function and the line officers on the "doing" function. In an industrial concern, for instance, a foreman neither receives any instructions from, nor issues commands to, another foreman. BusinessManagementIdeas.Com. If they are not able the enterprise will not be successful. Line or Military Organization: Structure, Features, Characteristics, Merits, Demerits, Suitability and Branches, With Features, Conditions for Success, Merits, Demerits and Suitability, Hierarchy of Authority Levels, Branches of Line Organisation, Merits, Demerits and Suitability of Line Organisation, Flow of Authority from Top to Bottom; Accountability of Each Subordinate, Department Managers Function Independently of One Another, Subordinates can only Approach Immediate Superior, (2) Clear Division of Authority and Responsibility, Line managers are required to both plan and execute the tasks and duties assigned to them. (iv) The authority and responsibility of each person is clearly specified. Also, he alone is accountable for performance of his department. Line organization refers to that organization in which the authority flows from top to down in a vertical manner and not in a horizontal manner. It does not store any personal data. There is scope for favouritism. Harappas Navigating Workplaces course is a self-paced online course thatll teach you everything you need to know about optimizing your work life. The line organisation structure is given below: Advantages of Line Organization: a. Each organizational structure has its specific characteristics. This finding underscores the increasingly recognized need for companies to improve their I&D engagement with core-business managers. Flexibility: Staff can be added to the line and new activities may be introduced without disturbing the line procedure. Unlike affiliative leadership structures, such organizational structures do not heed the officers advice. Fixed Responsibility 5. He can manage his department according to his knowledge and convenience. Even within a department, there may be several sub-departments or units. Matthew was a floor manager at a local restaurant in Wales. C. benchmarking. 7. It creates confusion among the employees, and they may double-perform a task or miss some. The advantages of a line-staff organization include: Encourages independence in the workplace Professionals in staff roles can be self-sufficient in the work environment. 2. v. Prompt Decisions- As the superiors enjoy full authority, quick decisions are taken by them. Required fields are marked *. This branch addresses a lack of expertise in a typicalline organizational structure. Each employee is taking decision according to the level of authority delegated by his/her immediate superior. Line should value the special skills of staff and similarly the staff should try to appreciate the difficulties in implementing new ideas. Every employee is responsible to his immediate superior. This is the most conventional type of structure, and it is easy to establish and understand. Under this structure, there is a direct line of authority from the superior to the subordinate level through an unbroken chain. There is usually no communication from the lower ranks upwards so that if the officers were to make a wrong decision it would be still carried out without anybody having the courage to point out that the decision was wrong. In the words of J.M. Economical: Of all the systems of organization, it seems to be more economical because it is less elaborate and less complicated. For example, a production officer may allow the production supervisor to take care of another aspect outside his job description. ADVERTISEMENTS: (ii) In this organisation, there is no difficulty in fixing the responsibilities at various levels of organisation. He knows whose orders he is to obey and to whom he will be accountable for his work performance. As all the decisions are made by senior management, employees find it difficult to take initiative or step outside their comfort zone. Conflict between Line and Staff: One more important disadvantage is the conflict between the line and staff officers. These subordinates, in turn, delegate authority to their own subordinates, and so on. 4. The authority flows from top to the lower levels. (v) Scope for Favouritism- Since the departmental head is almost all-in-all for the activities of his department. Your email address will not be published. 6. It also allows quick decisions and efficient coordination. Thus it relates to Jack of All Traders But Master of None. (3) Limited Superior-Subordinate Communication, (4) Line Manager may Take Decisions Arbitrarily, With Features, Advantages and Limitations. One can not operate without the o. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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(iii) Each subordinate receives orders only from one superior and is answerable to him only. The line and staff officers perform their functions smoothly through better coordination and cooperation. 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. Hence, discipline can be maintained there. It is headed by a director, followed by department heads, and then by serial employees. The executive may appoint and promote his own men in various positions ignoring the claim of efficient persons. Learn about:- 1. A manager in a line organization has absolute control over his department of activity. It is not possible to achieve the advantages of specialisation in all fields. This means that everything in the organization is vertically connected. It is a traditional concept of management. Identification of Authority and Responsibility: . Lets tell you the advantages and disadvantages of line and staff organization. 2. The number of subordinates is limited under line organisation. The decisions may lack objectivity. Charitable activities - Charitable activities are a part of the people element in the triple bottom line concept. He has to perform all the functions connected with production, including planning of work, ensuring the proper condition of equipment, training of workers and instructing them in the methods of work. (3) Limited Superior-Subordinate Communication: A line organization generally does not encourage subordinates to communicate with their managers. Five key benefits of implementing a service line management structure are highlighted below: Improves patient experience: At its core, service line development aims to connect and enhance care coordination across all sites and levels of care. Superior at each level makes decisions within the scope of his authority. Red Tapism and Bureaucracy: Concentration of authority in the hands of a single man shall result in red tapism at all levels. Sometimes, several sub-departments are formed within one department for effective administration purposes. Explore topics such as What is anOrganizational Structure,Types of Organizational Structure,Matrix Organizational Structure,Flat Organizational Structure&Divisional Structurefrom Harappa Diaries and understand how teams functions in your organization. This affects their creativity and capacity for independent thinking. Decisions Arbitrarily, with Features, advantages and Limitations excellently but are poor in translating plans! A part of the line organisation communicate with their managers in staff roles can be effective only subordinates. Is to obey and to whom he will be accountable for performance of his department activity! The same kind of work to perform a wide range of functions the has. 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