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. They are not provided with an opportunity to put forward their view point or problems or suggestions to persons at the top level. The authority is given with reference to the assignment of task. This structure involves more money and might not be the best choice for small organizations. Fewer levels between employees . They may even start relying on their seniors for orders instead of stepping up to the task. It allows them to look for plans for the growth of the company. Every company operates on the basis of a specific organizational structure, which forms the basis of its functioning. 4. The lack of communication creates many problems for the smooth conduct of business. How to Improve Line and Staff Organization? b. Communication is fast and easy and feedback can be acted upon faster. It is extremely difficult for one person to handle activities of diverse nature. 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. Staff-line structure a developed version of the linear structure, in which the vertical nature of the links remains unchanged, but the manager has at his disposal the so-called staff, which is a group of people acting as advisers. Further, it promotes the unity of command. Advantages Of Line Organization A line organizational structure has many advantages but they depend on the type of business and number of employees. are made as it is in the case of a ladder. Moreover, unity of command, according to which an employee can be given orders only by one superior, and the employee on his part will be accountable to that one superior only, is essential in a line organization. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. (iii) Line organization is not suitable to big organizations because it does not provide specialists in the structure. In the words of J.M. Functional authority means giving authority to an employee experienced in a particular area. For example, the functional structure provides all authority to the manager. First, a few definitions so you understand what I'm talking about. Besides the straightforward organization system, it also involves staff of different departments. (2) It gives full freedom to each departmental head to look after his department. Moreover, an employee knows to whom he/she is responsible and who are responsible to him/her. Not all managers can come up to this expectation. Outside of reporting to senior management, each task belongs to individual employees. 10. However, the lack of communication may lead to authority conflict if not managed properly. This avoids all kinds of misinterpretations and ensures peak performance. In the line organization, there is one head for decision making and the rest are the followers of that decision. When we draw the line it is always straight the only point is it can be either be drawn vertically or horizontally and in the case of the company that follows the line organization structure same thing applies. One of the most important advantages of line and staff organization is that it improves specialization in the system. 2. 2. Account Disable 12. But a line organization can be effective only when subordinates are made to follow the command-chain religiously. In line organisation, every manager exercises a direct authority over subordinates who are directly responsible to their superiors. Vertical Organizations A "vertical" company is known for having a large staff of middle managers between the CEO and the front line. 1. Subordinates have no freedom to do their job. The managerial growth also suffers because lower level persons are not involved in decision-making process. Advice Ignored: As the staff officers lack authority to put their recommendations into practice, their advice may be ignored by the line executives. (3) Limited Superior-Subordinate Communication: A line organization generally does not encourage subordinates to communicate with their managers. Again, no departmental head can pass on a message directly to a subordinate of another department. Every person is accountable to only one person i.e. 1. Find out more about aline organizational structurewith examples. Where the number of subordinates and operatives is less. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Hence, less expenses is incurred for adopting line organization. It is not possible to achieve the advantages of specialisation in all fields. Staff experts in specific areas are incorporated into the formal chain of command. It suffers from the drawbacks of autocratic control. This is a very simple organizational structure to understand and manage due to the implementation of the scalar chain of command (formal line of authority which moves from highest to lowest rank in a straight line). All managers have direct control over their respective subordinates through the chain of command. The links in the chain of command should not be skipped. Every unit is complete in itself as far as the functions are concerned. Confusion: If the pattern of authority relationship between line and staff executives is not clearly indicated, there may be considerable confusion throughout the organisation. Everything you need to know about the line organisational . Moreover, it is easily understood by workers. Autocratic Leadership 4. The lower positions derive authority from the positions above them. Disadvantages of Line and Staff Organisation. Staff managers generally perform their job functions without managerial guidance or approval, allowing them to work much more efficiently than line employees. There are no complications in defining the authority-responsibility relationships. (iii) Each subordinate receives orders only from one superior and is answerable to him only. Employees do not want to be a part of an organization where their roles are unclear. The sales department can be further sub-divided into Counter Sales, Branch Sales, On Line Sales and Export. The leaders follow the line, staff, and functional authority. Then each of his subordinates, who may himself be holding superior position in relation to sub-subordinates placed under him, makes decisions within the scope of his authority, and passes them on to the sub-subordinates. The staff officer may plan and implement them with their own judgment without suggestions from others. Your email address will not be published. Everybody knows his work and also to whom he is responsible. As a business owner, there may be different [Read] about How does a Valuator Value a Business? This may become the reason for lack of co-ordination among different departments. This line system is not without disadvantages. ii. B. outsourcing. As all the decisions are made by senior management, employees find it difficult to take initiative or step outside their comfort zone. There may be a good deal of nepotism and jobbery and personal prejudices. The decisions are implemented without comments even if these appear to be detrimental to the interests of the organisation. 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.. Among the advantages of a line structure, experts most often include: clear division of authority, competencies and responsibilities; employees are accountable to one person - the manager; possibility of quick interaction between employees and management; maximum speed of execution of orders; Line structure the simplest of all existing varieties of business management structures. Unity of Command: . A line function is one that directly advances an organization in its core work. 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. The open office arrangement has the fantastic benefit of enhancing business culture. Advantages of Line and Staff Organisation: Specialization: Line and staff organisation introduces specialization in a systematic manner. The top-down approach helps streamline communication. The quantum of authority is highest at the top and reduces at each successive level down the hierarchy. 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. Further promotion of the workers would depend upon the reports made about them by the foreman concerned. A line organizational structure helps build rapport between senior management and employees. With Characteristics, Types of Line Organisation, Advantages, Disadvantages and Suitability, (ii) There is concentration of authority at the top. Thus, in the production department, there may be a number of foremen each having a number of workers under him. Line managers may create new line departments according to requirements. You may say that it is limited line authority. There is no complexity in the organisation because every person is accountable to only one boss. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Managers have to involve themselves in jobs of different nature. Each position in the structure has an authority over a lower position. In a line organization, the responsibility for the performance of tasks is fixed upon definite individuals. (iv) There is scalar chain in line organization. For example, it is not possible for a foreman alone to give full guidance on all matters relating to use of materials, use of machines, methods, personnel practice, and so on. Harappas Navigating Workplaces course is a self-paced online course thatll teach you everything you need to know about optimizing your work life. As there is clear definition of authority-responsibility of each employee, and because the unity of command is strictly observed, it becomes possible for managers to make quick decisions and get them implemented double-quick. But all managers may not be equally capable and committed to their work; those who pass the test, will accomplish their work as desired, but there may be some who may fail forcing the organization to think of giving them specialized training, or find replacement for them. Some authorities viewed that no organizational structure can be based on line authority alone and it is unrealistic to speak of a structure as line organization. Line managers are vital to the success of any growing business. Slowly but steadily, cryptos are becoming a part [Read] about The Truth Behind Cryptocurrency Transactions: Are Digital Transactions Secure? This finding underscores the increasingly recognized need for companies to improve their I&D engagement with core-business managers. The employees understand the reporting hierarchy clearly and are less susceptible to confusion and mistakes. In the line organisation, the line managers cannot be experts in all the functions they are required to . Privacy Policy 9. Working alone makes it challenging for your team to connect and communicate and less probable for individuals . (iii) Strong discipline It ensures excellent discipline. Line organization is simple to design, understand and operate. Besides, this is a fact that the number of subordinates under every superior is limited. This type of organisation is largely existing in modern industry. 5. Line managers plan, and staff helps in execution and betterment. This type of organisation helps in co-ordination and control. The functional staff does not have any direct input in organizational operations. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. For example, quality control officers may guide the production department in improving the stability of the product. What happens when a department manager wants to pass some message to a subordinate in another department? This form of organisation is followed in military establishments. This structure brings in specialized or supporting staff to aid line executives. 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. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 3. To give an exact idea of a line type of organisation an illustration of a departmental store will serve the purpose. Line and staff organization is a little more complicated than the line system. If the managers treat the employees as a pendulum between them, they will most likely get tired of their job roles. The line and staff structure may promote over-dependence on staff members. Under this system, each employee is responsible to his immediate superior. Uploader Agreement. An organization where information is disseminated from one person to the other based on rank and position follows aline organizational structure. Organizational structure is a formal outline of reporting relationships and information flows within a company. In spite of these drawbacks, the line organisation structure is very popular particularly in small organisations where there are less number of levels of authority and a small number of people. There is no provision for growth and development. First, commands should be given to subordinates through the immediate superior- there should be no skipping of links in the chain of command. 4. In this organizational structure, all the individuals perform the same type of work. One of the most important advantages of line and staff organization is that it improves specialization in the system. about B2B Account-Based Marketing: How to Grow Sales? Similarly, each person derives authority from the superior above him. It is simply used to indicate a straight flow of authority resembling the lines of command in a combat unit. So, there is a lack of stability in enterprise performance. about The Truth Behind Cryptocurrency Transactions: Are Digital Transactions Secure? 1. He is not obliged to seek advice or suggestion from his subordinates or any other person. (ii) Where the work is of a routine nature and the methods of operation are simple. 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. They have staff wings like intelligence, medical and so on. (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. It gives complete control to the top hierarchy, exhibiting authoritative leadership. The general manager is in charge of all the departments and he can easily co-ordinate the work of various departments. Learn about:- 1. 5. The subordinates should get commands only through their immediate superiors. Each foreman is supposed to take his orders from the production manager and is accountable to him for planning and execution of the work assigned to him. 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. Above all the departmental heads, there is a general manager to whom all the department heads are responsible. Under this type of line organization, the whole business organization is divided into several departments and each department is under the control of one individual who is known as Departmental Manager. One person should get orders from one supervisor only. The only problem with a credit card is that it will usually carry a high APR. Since authority and responsibility flow in an unbroken straight line, it is called line organisation. It is the oldest form of organization. In order to understand more about line, organization lets look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of line organization-if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'letslearnfinance_com-box-3','ezslot_1',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-letslearnfinance_com-box-3-0'); 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 no ambiguity and confusion. 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. 6. 2. (3) Instructions are given direct from the boss to his subordinate enabling instructions to move in a direct line without any interruption. Or, airlifting Indians from strife-torn foreign countries (remember, Libya and Afghanistan). This may sometimes result in lack of co-operation and team spirit between the departments and line authorities and develops rivalry amongst. Classical theories of organization associated with Henri Fayol, Frederick W . 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advantages of line organisation
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