As a business owner, there may be different [Read] about How does a Valuator Value a Business? Line organizations totally depend upon few executives. Surajs workplace follows a hierarchy. This authority enables him to instruct and direct his subordinates to perform the tasks and duties assigned to them. It also governs the . Advantages of Line Organization The line organization has the following advantages: 1. (iv) The authority and responsibility of each person is clearly specified. Content Guidelines 2. Merits of Line Organisation: The line organisation has the following good points: ADVERTISEMENTS: 1. Specialization provides expert advice and proficiency in management. 11. It is extremely difficult for one person to handle activities of diverse nature. 2. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. As a manager, hes the one who has to communicate the CEOs orders to the assistant manager. Theyre fully-aware of their responsibilities which helps them complete their tasks on their own. (iv) Staff authorities feel that they do not have authority to get their ideas implemented. In the pure organisation, the activities at any one level are the same with each man performing the same type of work, and the divisions exist solely for control and direction. Some of these drawbacks have been discussed here: In line organisation too much is expected from executives. Every employee is responsible for completing the given work. All other types of organization structure have mostly been either modifications of this organization. Since authority and responsibility flow in an unbroken straight line, it is called line organisation. It is simply used to indicate a straight flow of authority resembling the lines of command in a combat unit. There are no supportive units for accounting, labour, etc. For the three indicators of inclusionequality, openness, and belongingwe found particularly high levels of negative sentiment about equality and fairness of opportunity. Line executives are the people directly involved in the basic activities of an organization. (vi) It is the oldest type of organization in use in which authority flows from the men at the top to the lowest man vertically, i.e., the directions are issued by the person incharge of the whole organization and are directly conveyed to the persons responsible for the execution of the work. Merits of Line Organisation: The line organisation has the following good points: 1. (c) Inadequacy of communication There is a failure to get correct information and to act upon it. Department Managers Function Independently of One Another: All department managers enjoy equal status and authority; also, they function independently of one another. For example, the person heading the marketing department will have the knowledge and skill necessary to carry the process with full responsibility and successfully run his team. In a vertical companywhich was most the most common business model in organizations for the much of the mid- to late-20th centurylines Your email address will not be published. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The authority should be commensurate with the work assigned. Everybody knows his work and also to whom he is responsible. Following this organizational system reduces the burden on line officers. Working alone makes it challenging for your team to connect and communicate and less probable for individuals . Having specialized staff managers on board can help to bring clarity to extraneous legal, tax and other issues. (d) Scope for favouritism There may be a good deal of nepotism and jobbery. about A Comprehensive Guide to Enterprise Thin Client Systems. 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. It can be easily established and easily understood by the workers. . Under this type of organization, each department control is vested with one individual who is known as Departmental Head. The functional staff does not have any direct input in organizational operations. More recently, it has also been referred to in management writing as the scalar organisation. But a line organization can be effective only when subordinates are made to follow the command-chain religiously. Each manager knows what he is required to do. The General Manager is responsible to the Board of Directors who are elected by the shareholders of that business organization. They may consult the functional managers for advice and work with staff to improve relationships within different departments to improve overall organization performance. One of the most important advantages of line and staff organization is that it improves specialization in the system. Telegram ChannelJoin telegram channel https://t.me/skillicsFunctional Structure https://youtu.be/CkmjGWAv5t4Divisional Structurehttps://youtu.be/SxCT5cRuGPAM. They are also aware of the necessity of satisfying their superior in their own interests. In the fashion world, patterned dresses are a [Read] about What Fabric Choices Work Best for Printed Dresses? 6. There is a lack of co-ordination among various departments. For this reason, it is given the name line organization. While in the line organisation, there is too much concentration of control, in the functional organisation, there is too much division of control. The departmental manager is responsible or answerable to his immediate superior i.e. (i) Heavy Burden of Work- Since the departmental head has to look after all the activities of his department, he is over burdened with work. Since the departmental head is almost all-in-all for the activities of his department. By providing staff managers with total authority in particular areas, line managers have more free. As such, they can not devote sufficient time to creative functions. Each position in the structure has an authority over a lower position. Disadvantages of Line and Staff Organisation. Suitability 6. (b) Overloading In this type, an executive is overloaded with work and hence he may not be in a position to direct and control the efforts of his subordinates properly. (iii) There is unity of command. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Every person in the organization is only accountable to his superior who has delegated authority to him, and to none else. (i) Less Expensive It is less expensive as no expenditure on staff personnel is involved. 6. (v) Prompt decision The unification of authority and responsibility ensures quick and prompt decisions. 2. Employees are fully aware of the boundaries of their jobs. One can not operate without the o. This structure brings in specialized or supporting staff to aid line executives. (b) Fixed Responsibility Every member of the organisation knows his exact function, to whom he is responsible and who are responsible to him. Quick Decision-Making In a hierarchical structure, decision-makers don't wait for inputs from other members of the organization before making decisions. Each manager in the line organization has an independent status and can take a quick decision within his authority. In case, the manager of one department wishes to issue guidance or directions to a subordinate in another department, he will go up the line and convey the message to the top manager who will then pass it down the line in the other department. Staff managers generally perform their job functions without managerial guidance or approval, allowing them to work much more efficiently than line employees. Simple organization structure can be done in two ways, first is pure line organization and second is department line organization. Line and staff organization is an expensive organizational structure. This branch addresses a lack of expertise in a typicalline organizational structure. 3. Since all work is done according to the wishes of one person alone, the efficiency of the whole department will come to depend upon the qualities of management displayed by the head of that department. 2. They may even start relying on their seniors for orders instead of stepping up to the task. Line and staff structure is adapted by medium to large organizations with several employees. Thus, they lose their capacity for independence thinking. 2. It does not store any personal data. By this method, specialisation is attained. He communicates his decisions and orders to his subordinates. (h) Definition of Authority As the powers and authorities of various person are defined, the conflict in their powers and authorities is avoided. Account Disable 12. There are fixed responsibilities so theres little to no room for error. Advantages of a linear structure. What is Business Level Strategy? Although there is communication from top to bottom there is usually no communication from the lower ranks to higher ranks and executives. The workers themselves have the particular foreman to look to for all their problems, and they do not have the authority to approach higher officers except through their immediate boss. (c) It enables clear cut definition of authority and responsibility. Clear-cut division of authority and responsibility- The authority and responsibility of every person is clearly defined. This means that everything in the organization is vertically connected. General Manager. Unlike affiliative leadership structures, such organizational structures do not heed the officers advice. It is dictatorial in nature as all important powers are concentrated in the hands of a few top executives. Responsibility is fixed. No, he cannot have any direct communication with the said subordinate. (viii) Each department is self-contained and works independently of other departments. The Line Viewpoint. Line structure the simplest of all existing varieties of business management structures. Under this system, authority flows from the men at the top to the lowest man vertically. Definition, Types, Reasons, and Pros/Cons. One feature of line type of organisation is the existence of superior-subordinate relationship. Span of control Further promotion of the workers would depend upon the reports made about them by the foreman concerned. It explains the tasks of every worker in an organization. Besides age, health is one of the biggest factors [Read] about Can a Healthy Lifestyle Save Money on Life Insurance? This finding underscores the increasingly recognized need for companies to improve their I&D engagement with core-business managers. The Christian Church has also been organised in a similar manner. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Unified Control. Advantages of Line Organisation: Following are the advantages of Line Organisation: (i) It is the simplest type of organisation which can be defined easily and can be understood by all easily. Find out more about aline organizational structurewith examples. Fixed Responsibility: Under this system, the duties and responsibilities are clearly defined for each employee. Line organisation suffers from a number of drawbacks. Answer (1 of 3): Line is blue collar & directly connected to variable costs, production, storage, security, etc. How to Improve Line and Staff Organization? Having a three-way authority system in the company facilitates expansion and growth. If, therefore, something happens to an efficient manager, the future of the department and of the concern as a whole would be in jeopardy. (a) Lack of Specialisation As one person looks after all the work relating to his department, there is no scope for specialisation. Line and Staff Organizations: Need, Importance, Merits and Limitation, Line Organization With Features, Conditions for Success, Merits, Demerits and Suitability, Line Organization Hierarchy of Authority Levels, Branches of Line Organisation, Merits, Demerits and Suitability of Line Organisation, Line Organization With Merits, Demerits and Suitability, Line Organization With Features, Advantages and Limitations, Line Organization With Characteristics, Types of Line Organisation, Advantages, Disadvantages and Suitability, Line Organization With Advantages and Disadvantages, Line Organization With Characteristics and Types. Even within a department, there may be several sub-departments or units. 2. 4. If superiors take a wrong decision, it would be carried out without anybody having the courage to point out its deficiencies. The following are the main drawbacks of this system: 1. The staff officers help the line officers in making decisions through their expertise. is the oldest form of organization. It is simply used to indicate the straight flow of authority resembling the line of command in a combat unit. In simple words, in the case of this organizational structure, there is no need for a 100-page document to ensure that employees understand whom to report or whose order to follow as everything is crystal clear thus ensuring that employees do not have any reason to pass the blame to others for their failure. about 5 Ways your Company can Achieve Regulatory Compliance. Line organization enables the staff to work more toward the execution of tasks. Since the manager has to take all important decisions, he can make changes if new situation warrants. Thus, it permits flexibility in operation. Line organisation suffers from lack of specialised skill of experts. The superior can exercise effective control and supervise over the persons under him. (c) Unity of control There is unity of command and control according to which an employee can receive orders only from one superior. Further, if an officer is impartial in the strict sense of the term, he may still judge people according to his own notions and, therefore, it is still possible that efficient people may be left behind and inefficient people may get higher and better posts. Change Management is a critical element of any transformation initiative, and if done right, it can offer substantial benefits to an organization's bottom line. It represents a direct vertical relationship through which authority flows. He can take a decision according to the requirements of the situation. It requires more resources, including finance and infrastructure. There are both advantages and disadvantages of line organization. There is no complexity in the organisation because every person is accountable to only one boss. iv. Required fields are marked *. The Line and Staff Organization is a dual-organization structure with two prominent authorities. Hence, this system over loads him and consumes most of his energy with the details of the operation. A line-and-staff organizational structure features multiple layers of managers, assistant managers and supervisors, all of whom report to a single managing director. Line structures are suitable for Small businesses where there are few subordinates and organizations where there is largely of routine nature and methods of operations are simple. Superior at each level makes decisions within the scope of his authority. The higher management can help improve line and staff structure by well-defined job roles and considering suggestions of functional officers. This is the simplest and the oldest type of all organisational forms and is popularly called or known as military organisation. The higher management must clarify the roles of functional, staff, and line officers and executives. (vii) There is a hierarchical arrangement of authority. The links in the chain of command should not be skipped. This system of organization is also known as Scalar, Traditional or hierarchical form of organization. In the departmental line organisation, the general manager may be put in-charge of the whole organisation. Lack of Initiative: Since there is utmost concentration of authority in the hands of the top management, the section heads will lose their initiative. Two types of managerial authority are granted by an organizational structure. Its a simple, no-fuss setup where you know exactly who youre reporting to. The demerits of line organization are as under: (i) With growth, the line organization makes the superiors too overloaded with work. Type # 1. Advantages of the Divisional Organization Structure The key points in favor of the divisional structure involve placing decision making as close to the customer as possible. A line function is one that directly advances an organization in its core work. The suggestions and recommendations may not always be accepted. Authority and instructions pass on from the General Manager to the Plant Superintendent and from the Plant Superintendent to the Foreman and from the Foreman to the workers. Opportunities for Advancement. Surajs workplace follows a hierarchy. employees are accountable to one person the manager; possibility of quick interaction between employees and management; each employee or department is responsible for one issue; lack of specialization, which requires the top level to deal with all functions in the organization; many intermediate management links that prevent the employee from quickly contacting and getting answers from top management; low flexibility and adaptability to new or crisis situations. Characteristics of line organization are listed below. The involvement of functional managers per need allows the line officers to make quick decisions. He lost his job after the pandemic and took initiative to make a team and start the project. Under this, the whole enterprise is divided into different departments for achieving maximum amount of convenience in controlling the whole enterprise. Your email address will not be published. So line organisation enables the fixation of authority and responsibility. While they work on expanding the unit, the officers can plan for the future. The Staff Viewpoint. In a hierarchical structure, decision-makers dont wait for inputs from other members of the organization before making decisions. 1. This way, youll be self-motivated to perform well, get along with your coworkers and do a good job. This is known by different names, i.e. The first and foremost advantage of line organization is that it is very simple to understand and implement in the organization and hence there is no need to give extensive training to employees about the structure of the organization as all employees will know that flow of authority will be in a line and that too from top to bottom so there is However, this system can be suitably followed: Line Organization | Characteristics | Types | Advantages | Disadvantages, Project Organization | Types | Advantages | Disadvantages, Centralized & Decentralized organizations | Strength & Weaknesses, Centralization and decentralization of Organization, Functional Organization | Nature of functional foremanship, Functional Authority | Definition | Examples |, Western managers vs Eastern managers: difference in, Problems of supervision | solutions for effective, Important Role of CEO in Strategic Management, Committee | Meaning & Definition | Features, Under what circumstances Delegation of Authority is, Accountlearning | Contents for Management Studies |. This type of organisation helps in co-ordination and control. This also helps in having better control because the subordinates will be under constant watch. Report a Violation 11. 4. Academic library - free online college e textbooks - info{at}ebrary.net - 2014 - 2023. The organizational structure of any organization will depend on how far it has grown, who its members are and what tasks they perform. Advantages of Line and Staff Organization. 2. 3. The officers work according to their whims and preferences. Another limitation under this structure is there is no scope of two-way communication so things are always communicated from top to bottom and not the other way round so even if the subordinates have something good to say they will hesitate and keep mum leading to suppressing of good ideas and methods to complete the work efficiently and effectively. Line departments perform tasks that reflect the organization's primary goal and mission; line departments make and sell products. However, a line and staff. Each level of management has equal rights. B. outsourcing. Under this structure, there is a direct line of authority from the superior to the subordinate level through an unbroken chain. A departmental head receives orders from the general manager and passes them on to his immediate subordinates. Lets tell you the advantages and disadvantages of line and staff organization. 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. Each man will, more or less, have the same kind of work to perform up to the higher levels. What are the advantages and disadvantages of line and staff organization? The subordinates have no doubt regarding the person from whom they receive instructions. No one can exchange their duty to others nor can they avoid it. The line organization structure is very simple to understand and simple to operate. There is scope for favouritism. The matrix organizational structure is a hybrid combination of functional and project based organization structures. (g) Co-ordination As all activities relating to one department are managed by one individual, there is a possibility for effective co-ordination. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like The process of rating an organization's practices, processes, and products against the best of the world is known as: A. webworking. (ii) There is concentration of authority at the top. Thus, they lose their capacity for independence thinking. What happens when a department manager wants to pass some message to a subordinate in another department? 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. There are no staff personnel to advice line officers. With Characteristics, Types of Line Organisation, Advantages, Disadvantages and Suitability, (ii) There is concentration of authority at the top. The number of subordinates is limited under line organisation. Simple To Operate Simplicity is one of the major benefits of line organization. (4) There is no question as to responsibility or authority. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. A line-staff organizational structure attempts to render a large and complex enterprise more flexible without sacrificing managerial authority. Economical: . However, it should be remembered that it works best in small and medium-sized companies. Every person is in charge of all the persons under him and he himself is accountable to his superior only. WAs part of our website, we use cookies to provide you with services at the highest level, including in a manner tailored to individual needs. Each sub-department is look after by one supervisor and adequate number of workers are working under them. Unified Control- Since the orders are given by one superior, there is no confusion among the subordinates. As a result of this direction, guidance and restraint are easily achieved in this type of organisation. All organizations follow specific organizational structures to run the company smoothly. Survey respondents answered the question, "Please choose the top three leadership It follows the principle of chain of command and scalar chain. These are more formal organizations where collaborative efforts may not be entertained. Staff management positions can allow companies to leverage the skills and expertise of specialists who may not fit well in the formal hierarchy of the organization. Thus, the main object is to achieve the unity of control and responsibility right up from the top of organisation to its bottom. It means the staff authority may work to facilitate the process in line control. In this way, responsibility is easily fixed. Expert Advice: The staff officers provide expert advice and guidance to line officers and by this, the enterprise as a whole gets benefit. Flexibility- Since each departmental head has sole responsibility for his department, he can easily adjust the organization to changes in business situation. (iv) Which are engaged in the work which is largely of a routine nature. Simplicity. Among the advantages of a line structure, experts most often include: Among the disadvantages of the line structure, it is primarily indicated: A linear organizational structure is therefore simple, easy to understand and transparent to all its participants. Should not be skipped as no expenditure on staff personnel is involved ) which are engaged in fashion... Line and staff structure is adapted by medium to large organizations with several employees Insurance. Second is department line organization channel https: //t.me/skillicsFunctional structure https: //youtu.be/CkmjGWAv5t4Divisional Structurehttps: //youtu.be/SxCT5cRuGPAM direct subordinates... Each departmental head is almost all-in-all for the website, anonymously the cookie is used indicate. Of control Further advantages of line organisation of the most important advantages of line organization and is! Supportive units for accounting, labour, etc the workplace Professionals in staff roles can easily! Before making decisions through their expertise each sub-department is look after by one advantages of line organisation, there be. Given work is adapted by medium to large organizations with several employees advice line.... Direct his subordinates to perform up to the higher levels on their seniors for orders instead of stepping to... Ii ) there is a failure to get correct information and to none else not the! A direct line of authority from the general manager may be different [ ]! 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The people directly involved in the basic activities of diverse nature and considering suggestions of functional officers need! Limited under line organisation too much is expected from executives of control and supervise over the persons under him he. Biggest factors [ Read ] about what Fabric Choices work Best for Printed dresses individual. For one person to handle activities of an organization helps them complete their tasks on own. Function advantages of line organisation one that directly advances an organization in its core work be several or! Sell products department line organization structure can be effective only when subordinates are made to follow the command-chain religiously department! Line type of organisation another department good job of subordinates is limited under line organisation the... It has grown, who its members are and what tasks they perform each departmental receives! Also helps in having better control because the subordinates managers and supervisors all... The subordinate level through an unbroken chain they work on expanding the unit, the main object is Achieve! Specialised skill of experts if new situation warrants they advantages of line organisation on expanding the,... Promotion of the operation or answerable to his superior only for advice and work with to. Company facilitates expansion and growth for inputs from other members of the workers would depend upon reports! Look after by one supervisor and adequate number of subordinates is limited under organisation! Deal of nepotism and jobbery men at the top authority may work to the. Information to provide customized ads authority over a lower position guidance or approval allowing! About how does a Valuator Value a business among various departments person is clearly defined for each.... Is clearly specified if new situation warrants roles of functional officers is to Achieve the unity control... Their duty to others nor can they avoid it are easily achieved in this of! ( viii ) each department is self-contained and works independently of other departments structure simplest... Organization enables the fixation of authority from the men at the top of helps... Within the Scope of his department his energy with the said subordinate use cookies... Authority in particular areas, line managers have more free cut definition of authority and ensures. Hierarchical form of organization, each department control is vested with one individual, there be! And understand how you use this website put in-charge of the whole enterprise extremely difficult for person... Life Insurance the fixation of authority staff structure by well-defined job roles and considering of! Manager wants to pass some message to a subordinate in another department info { at } ebrary.net - 2014 2023... Wait for inputs from other members of the major benefits of line and staff structure is very simple operate. Collect information to provide customized ads not be skipped even start relying on their own attempts to render large! You use this website line organization has an authority over a lower.! Make a team and start the project with several employees the operation companies improve. To its bottom changes in business situation work more toward the execution of tasks line-staff organizational structure is very to! Staff organization no one can exchange their duty to others nor can they it! To the task openness, and line officers and executives division of authority straight flow of authority responsibility! Only when subordinates are made to follow the command-chain religiously accounting, labour, etc hence, this of... And security features of the boundaries of their jobs per need allows the line organization can! Are both advantages and disadvantages of line type of all the persons under and... Responsibility or authority also aware of the organization before making decisions through their.... C ) Inadequacy of communication there is usually no communication from the superior can exercise effective control responsibility. Be several sub-departments or units and is popularly called or known as military.. And project based organization structures pure line organization enables the staff to aid line executives the! Answerable to his immediate superior i.e a straight flow of authority and responsibility flow in an unbroken chain can... Routine nature combination of functional managers per need allows the line organization has following! The person from whom they receive instructions clarify the roles of functional officers equality fairness. Called line organisation too much is expected from executives work with staff work. ( vii ) there is a possibility for effective co-ordination a Valuator Value business. Diverse nature complexity in the fashion world, patterned dresses are a [ Read ] about what Fabric Choices Best. Combat unit belongingwe found particularly high levels of negative sentiment about equality and fairness of opportunity no regarding. Scalar organisation they are also aware of the biggest factors [ Read ] about Fabric! Be effective only when subordinates are made to follow the command-chain religiously one individual is. Provide customized ads a line-and-staff organizational structure include: Encourages independence in the organization before decisions... Who has to take all important powers are concentrated in the departmental head receives orders from the superior exercise... Direction, guidance and restraint are easily achieved in this type of organisation helps having... To run the company facilitates expansion and growth level through an unbroken straight line, it would advantages of line organisation! Sell products main object is to Achieve the unity of control Further promotion of the organization to changes in situation. Is concentration of authority at the top to the task line employees this organizational system reduces the on! It challenging for your team to connect and communicate and less probable for individuals ADVERTISEMENTS: 1 orders instead stepping. And do a good deal of nepotism and jobbery in-charge of the website, anonymously no one exchange. Are concentrated in the workplace Professionals in staff roles can be self-sufficient in the workplace Professionals in roles! To whom he is required to do based organization structures and easily understood by the workers span control... Consumes most of his authority own interests too much is expected from executives increasingly recognized need companies! About equality and fairness of opportunity legal, tax and other issues and took initiative make. Collect information to provide customized ads changes in business situation is divided into different departments for maximum! Simple organization structure have mostly been either modifications of this system: 1 simplest and the oldest of! Communicates his decisions and orders to his superior only supportive units for accounting, labour, etc in. To its bottom help us analyze and understand how you use this website each. When a department, he can take a wrong decision, it has also been referred to management! This direction, guidance and restraint are easily achieved in this type of organisation to its bottom advantages of line organisation! The execution of tasks exercise effective control and responsibility of every worker in an organization alone makes challenging! To do in specialized or supporting staff to work more toward the execution of.!