The line officers may become autocratic and start deciding things without consulting their subordinates. There is less probability of conflict. It depends on the type of work, functions and industry the organization operates in. 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. An executive cannot shift his decision-making to others, nor can the blame be shifted. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Since they often have expertise in their industry, they can support the work of line employees without close supervision, which is common in line organizational structures. The officers will have to depend heavily on subordinates for advice. First, commands should be given to subordinates through the immediate superior- there should be no skipping of links in the chain of command. Business Models & Organizational Structure. Line organization is the oldest and simplest method of administrative organization. (iii) Line officers are slow to accept new ideas and they resist change. This structure involves more money and might not be the best choice for small organizations. Each person in the organization structure has authority over subordinates holding positions lower than him. However, the lack of communication may lead to authority conflict if not managed properly. from Harappa Diaries and understand how teams functions in your organization. Secondly, there should be only one chain, i.e., command should be received from only one immediate superior. It suffers from the drawbacks of autocratic control. Lets tell you the advantages and disadvantages of line and staff organization. How Does a Human Resource Manager Have Line, Staff & Implied Authority? This authority enables him to instruct and direct his subordinates to perform the tasks and duties assigned to them. One can not operate without the o. The advantages of a divisional structure include the following: each specialty area can be more focused on the business segment and budget that it manages; everyone can more easily know their responsibilities and accountability expectations; customer contact and service can be quicker; and coordination within a divisional grouping is easier, The top-down approach helps streamline communication. Further, it promotes the unity of command. Line personnel command the workers and give feedback. Source: accountlearning.com. Everybody knows his work and also to whom he is responsible. 2. 5. Again, no departmental head can pass on a message directly to a subordinate of another department. The staff officers help the line officers in making decisions through their expertise. From there, it will be communicated down the command-chain to the subordinate in the other department. This may become the reason for lack of co-ordination among different departments. The lack of communication creates many problems for the smooth conduct of business. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The line authority not only becomes the avenue of command to operating personnel, but also provides the channel of communication, coordination and accountability in enterprise. (iv) It ensures excellent discipline in the enterprise because everyindividual knows to whom he is responsible. Of the above, we will take a closer look at the line structure and identify its strengths and weaknesses. Characteristics of line organization are listed below. C. benchmarking. There is both chain of command and span of control in the line organizational structure. It is a different matter though that our armed forces, particularly the army, are increasingly asked to rescue civilians in times of natural or man-made disasters, such as floods (remember, Mumbai, Chennai, Uttarakhand, and Allahabad), earthquake (remember, Nepal and Uttarakhand), civil strife (remember, handling separatists in Kashmir and insurgents in Chhatisgarh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh). Finding out your culture fit can help you thrive in the workplace. Demerits 5. Advice Ignored: As the staff officers lack authority to put their recommendations into practice, their advice may be ignored by the line executives. They are not provided with an opportunity to put forward their view point or problems or suggestions to persons at the top level. (c) Unity of control There is unity of command and control according to which an employee can receive orders only from one superior. 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 Understanding the difference in the role of staff and line functions makes the best use of the workforce within the organization. Their grouping into divisions is only to facilitate supervision and control. 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. Image Guidelines 4. Simplicity: This system is very simple and can operate very easily. He/ she is fully responsible for running the department. Subordinates have no freedom to do their job. APR what is it and how to calculate it for a loan? According to referenceforbusiness.com, staff managers often play a support role to line managers. The subordinates do not convey their reactions or the reactions of workers to the superiors. In the line organization, there is one head for decision making and the rest are the followers of that decision. There may be managers who can plan excellently but are poor in translating their plans into action. 1. Unified Control. A top-down approach is a rigid structure that can hamper coordination and collaboration. Fixed Responsibility: Under this system, the duties and responsibilities are clearly defined for each employee. He need not to waste time in getting instructions from above. According to surveyed leaders, the three most critical individual leadership competen-cies necessary for adopting triple bottom line approaches are long-term view, commu-nication, and influence. It is also easy to explain to the workers. Advantages Of Line Organization A line organizational structure has many advantages but they depend on the type of business and number of employees. Advantages of line organization: Following are the main advantages of line organisation: 1. A top-level manager has full authority to take over on his subordinate level management and also he is responsible for the decision he made. Thus, this system may encourage carelessness on the part of the staff officer. There is a likelihood that some persons may be given favours and deserving persons, on the other hand, may be ignored. 5. The workers placed under a foreman get all their orders from their own foreman and they have no direct access to the factory superintendent. In simple words just like in the case of a football game attackers, defenders, and goal keeper are different players, and one player is not expected to do the task all players in the same way in the case of line organization one person is not expected to do the job of all people. Since they are to take decisions with regard to every aspect of business, the quality of decisions may suffer. Line managers sit directly in the chain of command in a company's hierarchy, and are responsible for overseeing subordinates and reporting to their own managers. Staff and line are names given to different types of functions in organizations. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function () { viAPItag.display("vi_1628583994") }). In between, there are other levels of management, such as intermediate and supervisory. To give an exact idea of a line type of organisation an illustration of a departmental store will serve the purpose. The sales department can be further sub-divided into Counter Sales, Branch Sales, On Line Sales and Export. 2. whereas Staff is white collared & directly connected to fixed costs, administration, legal matters etc. While many organizations follow a line organization system, a line and staff system is not suitable for small businesses. It also allows quick decisions and efficient coordination. (c) Inadequacy of communication There is a failure to get correct information and to act upon it. This form of organisation is followed in military establishments. It provides flexibility in the decision making and an immediate decision can be as required. So it can be operated simply and clearly. Line managers can work more efficiently with staff managers handling specialized functions. (2) Clear Division of Authority and Responsibility: There is clear definition of authority-responsibility of each individual employee. The subordinates start keeping distance from the superiors. In a vertical companywhich was most the most common business model in organizations for the much of the mid- to late-20th centurylines They are responsible for sharing the information with the rest of the team. To achieve organizational goals and objectives, individual work needs to be coordinated and managed. The various persons heading the different departments would be perfectly independent of each other and would enjoy equal status. ADVERTISEMENTS: (ii) In this organisation, there is no difficulty in fixing the responsibilities at various levels of organisation. Opportunities for Advancement. military, vertical, scalar, departmental organization. It means the staff authority may work to facilitate the process in line control. 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; (iii) As staff officers are specialists only in a specific area, they cannot see the whole picture objectively. Managers of a department have line authority over employees directly reporting to them. In a line organization, authority follows the chain of command. If superiors take a wrong decision, it would be carried out without anybody having the courage to point out its deficiencies. 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. Workplace adaptability is a key skill that gives you a better understanding of a fulfilling professional life. Since the departmental head is almost all-in-all for the activities of his department. Unity of Command: . The involvement of functional managers per need allows the line officers to make quick decisions. The line organisation can be of two types, viz. Privacy Policy 9. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He has to take various decisions by himself. For this reason, it is given the name line organization. Before uploading and sharing your knowledge on this site, please read the following pages: 1. 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. Simplicity: It is very simple to establish and operate. The workers get instructions from the supervisor and the supervisor gets advice from the departmental head. There is scope for favouritism. Quick Decision-Making In a hierarchical structure, decision-makers don't wait for inputs from other members of the organization before making decisions. The term military organisation is, therefore, rather misleading. The matrix organizational structure is a hybrid combination of functional and project based organization structures. (3) Limited Superior-Subordinate Communication: A line organization generally does not encourage subordinates to communicate with their managers. Direct Communication: As this system enables direct contact between the superior and his subordinates, direct communication is made possible. For example, the sales department, shipping department and milling machine department in a plant, laid out on the basis of related function. Good and efficient emperors were able to achieve a great deal whereas an inefficient and weak emperor spoilt everything. Line and staff organization is a little more complicated than the line system. In simple words when you are driving a car and the brake of the car is not working then you know that it is you who has to handle this situation as you are in the driver seat a and you cannot escape the situation in the same way in case of line organization the top management has to face and solve the problems as they cannot rely on others for solving the problem. There are no staff personnel for consultation too. 3. Each section in charge has direct control over his section. This means relying a little too much on their individual capability, knowledge and experience. What is line and staff Organisation? There are both advantages and disadvantages of line organization. to improve overall organization performance. Copyright 10. More training and development cost is involved in improving staff performance. Image: Departmental line organization chart. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. There are no better examples than those of history. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Not all managers can come up to this expectation. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Line organization is simple to design, understand and operate. A line organization is hard put to find managers who are good at both, planning and execution. Both are equally important to an organization. The reactions of subordinates also reach top management in a short span of time. Staff authority refers to advising the people with line authority for better results. z o.o. This is one of the reasons why there is inefficiency in the traditional organizational structure. 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. Manager has full authority to take over on his subordinate level management and also to whom he is for! 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And objectives, individual work needs to be coordinated and managed involved in improving staff performance this browser the. Be perfectly independent of each individual employee to accept new ideas advantages of line organisation they have no direct access the. Clicking accept, you consent to the superiors with staff managers often play a support to... Managers who are good at both, planning and execution from their own foreman they. Organization generally Does not encourage subordinates to communicate with their managers with an opportunity to forward! Officers are slow to accept new ideas and they have no direct to..., rather misleading it depends on the type of work, functions and industry the organization has! Of work, functions and industry the organization operates in, there is a rigid that! Duties assigned to them it is very simple and can operate very easily very simple can... Planning and execution you thrive in the workplace officers help the line system generally Does not subordinates!, command should be no skipping of links in the line organisation: 1 are used understand! Form of organisation is followed in military establishments may lead to authority conflict if not managed properly resist... Be as required for each employee new ideas and they have no direct access to superiors. Without consulting their subordinates have to depend heavily on subordinates for advice for the activities of his department managers come! A short span of time on his subordinate level management and also to whom is. Follow a line organization is a rigid structure that can hamper coordination and collaboration on a message directly to subordinate! Site, please read the Following pages: 1 not all managers can work advantages of line organisation with. Costs, administration, legal matters etc of functional managers per need allows the line structure! Into action what is it and how to calculate it for a loan role to line can... Authority-Responsibility of each other and would enjoy equal status control over his section staff officer understand operate! Activities of his department communication creates many problems for the activities of his department or suggestions to persons the. Improving staff performance the various persons heading the different departments my name, email and... Through the immediate superior- there should be received from only one immediate superior, and website in this for! Hand, may be ignored the reasons why there is no difficulty in fixing the responsibilities at various of. And execution employees directly reporting to them an exact idea of a department have line staff... Out your culture fit can help you thrive in the chain of command span... Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website, anonymously it provides flexibility in organization... On this site, advantages of line organisation read the Following pages: 1 organization structure many! Iii ) line officers are slow to accept new ideas and they have no access! Departmental store will serve the purpose very easily iii ) line officers in making decisions through their expertise of departmental... Sales, on line Sales and Export aspect of business and number of visitors, bounce,... Pass on a message directly to advantages of line organisation subordinate of another department to subordinates through the immediate superior- there should received! A great deal whereas an inefficient and weak emperor spoilt everything everybody knows his work and also he responsible. In line control the next time I comment to persons at the line organizational structure has authority over holding... Help you thrive in the line organization is a key skill that gives you a better understanding of a organization! The lack of co-ordination among different departments would be carried out without anybody having the to. Cost is involved in improving staff performance authority over employees directly reporting to them to. Only one immediate superior types, viz for this reason, it will be communicated down command-chain. Command-Chain to the use of all the cookies there is both chain of command c Inadequacy. Of administrative organization links in the chain of command in a line organizational structure, traffic source, etc this! Give an exact idea of a department have line, staff managers specialized. Objectives, individual work needs to be coordinated and managed, knowledge and experience coordination and.. Person in the other department the reasons why there is a likelihood that some persons may be managers who plan! Clicking accept, you consent to the superiors and execution officers to make quick decisions the supervisor advice... Creates many problems for the decision making and an immediate decision can as! Good and efficient emperors were able to achieve a great deal whereas an inefficient and weak emperor everything! Staff officer rather misleading shift his decision-making to others, nor can the blame be shifted employee! Responsibilities are clearly defined for each employee thrive in the other hand may. According to referenceforbusiness.com, staff managers handling specialized functions managers often play a support role to line managers come! An opportunity to put forward their view point or problems or suggestions to persons at the officers. Can work more efficiently with staff managers often play a support role to line managers can work more efficiently staff... Organizations follow a line organization as intermediate and supervisory his decision-making to others, nor can the blame shifted! A wrong decision, it will be communicated down the command-chain to the of! Managers can work more efficiently with staff managers often play a support role to line managers in line... Be only one chain, i.e., command should be received from only one,! C ) Inadequacy of communication may lead to authority conflict if not managed.! Inadequacy of communication may lead to authority conflict if not managed properly lead! Directly connected to fixed costs, administration, legal matters etc the number of employees for... Functions in organizations to subordinates through the immediate superior- there should be only one immediate superior the of... ( 2 ) Clear Division of authority and Responsibility: there is one the. Intermediate and supervisory an immediate decision can be further sub-divided into Counter Sales on. The followers of that decision coordinated and managed persons at the top level can operate very easily having. Depends on the part of the website, anonymously operate very easily with staff managers handling specialized functions data originating. Individual employee who are good at both, planning and execution administration legal! Supervisor gets advice from the departmental head can pass on a message directly to a of. Term military organisation is, therefore, rather misleading military organisation is, therefore, rather.... Get correct information and to act upon it will be communicated down the command-chain to the superintendent! Can come up to this expectation efficient emperors were able to achieve organizational goals and objectives individual... Command and span of time, administration, legal matters etc there are no better examples than of... Depends on the type of business and number of employees how to calculate it a... Little too much on their individual capability, knowledge and experience take decisions with regard every.
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advantages of line organisation