The number of subordinates should be such that they are properly supervised. Where the machinery is automatic and so there is no need for skill or intelligence. Their boss is the foreman to whom they communicate their problems and suggestions and from whom they receive their orders. There are no better examples than those of history. As a business owner, there may be different [Read] about How does a Valuator Value a Business? The work load of executives goes on increasing with the expansion and diversification of the unit. There is a scope for favouritism in line organisation. Many jobs require specialized knowledge to perform them. Each employee is taking decision according to the level of authority delegated by his/her immediate superior. The operation of line organization is very simple. The line officers should consider the suggestions of the staff officers. 9. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Managers have to involve themselves in jobs of different nature. The higher management can help improve line and staff structure by well-defined job roles and considering suggestions of functional officers. A line organizational structure helps build rapport between senior management and employees. For example, at the lowest level of an organisation, workers may be performing a similar type of work, but for the sake of control and supervision, they may be divided into different groups and each group is placed under the control of a foreman. 1. Required fields are marked *. Thus it relates to Jack of All Traders But Master of None. Also, he alone is accountable for performance of his department. When the roles of each kind within the organization are clear, they ensure better coordination. Just as some job functions are best handled by a single individual, some individuals simply work best when they are left alone. (2) It gives full freedom to each departmental head to look after his department. Minimum number of employees are required to adopt line organization. A number of organizations do not even employ staff managers, relying solely on their line managers to accomplish business objectives. 2. (iv) There is practically no communication from bottom upwards because of concentration of authority at the higher levels. Ideally, it distributes the power, supports knowledge sharing, and encourages employee accountability. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Existence of superior-subordinate relationship. Simplicity: Line organisation is simple to establish and can be easily understood by the employees. Hence, it is quite expensive and small and medium-sized concerns cannot afford it. Under this system, each employee is responsible to his immediate superior. 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. . 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. The line staff organizational structure offers more flexibility than others. Inadequate Communication: Though this system ensures direct communication from the top level to the lower level, it provides no arrangement for communication from the bottom to the top level. The subordinates may similarly communicate the order to the workers. Publisher Blue Whale Press sp. Having specialized staff managers on board can help to bring clarity to extraneous legal, tax and other issues. Flexibility 6. By providing staff managers with total authority in particular areas, line managers have more free time to focus on their main task: overseeing and facilitating the employees under their authority. Surajs workplace follows a hierarchy. They must stay within the limit of their authority and act accordingly. (vii) There is a hierarchical arrangement of authority. Clear definition of authority-responsibility means that an employee can only be given orders by his manager, his immediate boss. Line authority means giving the person a particular amount of control for specific tasks. Further it is easier to fix up the responsibility if there is any lapse anywhere in the performance of activities. Therefore, it is unsuitable for large-scale business enterprises having modern business activities. Hence, this is unstable. 1. Line organization enables the staff to work more toward the execution of tasks. Specialisation: The staff officers concentrate mainly on the planning function and the line officers on the "doing" function. Conflict between Line and Staff: One more important disadvantage is the conflict between the line and staff officers. What is Strategy Implementation and How To Implement it? The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. There is thus a hierarchical arrangement of authority. This will help to reduce the energy expenses and also it will preserve energy sources for future generations. For example, Sales Department. 3. On the contrary, project organization structures like the matrix structure distribute power between functional and project managers. Line organization is simple to design, understand and operate. 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. Any departure from this scheme may create problems. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. (2) Clear Division of Authority and Responsibility: There is clear definition of authority-responsibility of each individual employee. Each manager knows what he is required to do. Each organizational structure has its specific characteristics. iii. Specialization provides expert advice and proficiency in management. All the departmental heads are responsible to their immediate superior i.e. Each person in the organization structure has authority over subordinates holding positions lower than him. It requires more resources, including finance and infrastructure. (iii) Strong discipline It ensures excellent discipline. This is known by different names, i.e. Content Filtration 6. Privacy Policy 9. This structure brings in specialized or supporting staff to aid line executives. And, every employee is directly responsible to his immediate superior. Where the number of subordinates and operatives is less. (ii) Where the work is of a routine nature and the methods of operation are simple. A line and staff organizational structure is a variation of the original structure. Quick Decision: Quick decisions are taken by the employees because of unification of authority and responsibility. It requires high capital to recruit experts for the training of staff. 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. (c) Unity of control There is unity of command and control according to which an employee can receive orders only from one superior. The hierarchy in management helps in achieving effective coordination. List of the Advantages of a Line of Credit. 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. They are not provided with an opportunity to put forward their view point or problems or suggestions to persons at the top level. Due to lack of proper communication, all departments perform jobs in their own style. In recent times, however, the military organisations have undergone changes similar to those occurring in the industrial and other organisations. By providing staff managers with total authority in particular areas, line managers have more free. Due to the fact that decision-making authority is. Manage Settings the scale of the business and the size of the products produced; the ways in which goods and services are sold; the amount of capital, available resources, etc. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of . Line managers are required to both plan and execute the tasks and duties assigned to them. Harappas Navigating Workplaces course is a self-paced online course thatll teach you everything you need to know about optimizing your work life. Further, it promotes the unity of command. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Every person is accountable to only one person i.e. So, there is a lack of stability in enterprise performance. Line organisation has the following features/characteristics: (i) In line organisation authority flows from the top to the lower levels and responsibility flows upwards. Fixed Responsibility: Under this system, the duties and responsibilities are clearly defined for each employee. The people may be assigned departments according to their expertise and need in the department. Effective Management 7. This is because of unified control. The line management must give appropriate reasons in case of rejection. It is the simplest form of organization and very simple to understand and implement. It explains the tasks of every worker in an organization. Moreover, whenever the adjustments are made on line organization, there is no need of additional employees. So within the limits of his authority, he feels free to adjust and adapt his activities to realize the objectives set for him by his superior. military, vertical, scalar, departmental organization. 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. Line and staff organization is an expensive organizational structure. (iv) It ensures excellent discipline in the enterprise because everyindividual knows to whom he is responsible. Since one man controls the whole show, the subordinates have to dance according to his tune. There are no supportive units for accounting, labour, etc. It can be easily designed, and operated without any complication. For example, the production department of a spinning mill is divided into different groups and a supervisor is appointed for each group. He is not obliged to seek advice or suggestion from his subordinates or any other person. Under him, there are a number of departments each headed by a department manager. Image Guidelines 4. The larger the company, the more complex and complicated its organizational structure can be. (iv) Staff authorities feel that they do not have authority to get their ideas implemented. Authority flows vertically from top level person to all the persons responsible for the execution of work. Everybody knows his work and also to whom he is responsible. a specific person or group of people who make decisions in the organization, rules, according to which the organization operates, and division of labor, i.e. 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. The line authorities and higher management make decisions after considering the suggestions of functional officers. Definition, Types, Reasons, and Pros/Cons. are made as it is in the case of a ladder. All the departmental managers enjoy equal status and work independently. A foreman heads each department. As all the decisions are made by senior management, employees find it difficult to take initiative or step outside their comfort zone. The sales department can be further sub-divided into Counter Sales, Branch Sales, On Line Sales and Export. Content Guidelines 2. (iv) Where the work is done by automatic machines and less supervision is needed. If the top executives are not capable, the enterprise will not be successful. (ii) Staff authorities are not acquainted with the practical problems of the enterprise as they are only academics. 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 labor and management problems are not difficult to solve. The line organisation represents the structure in a direct vertical relationship through which authority flows. 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. Thus, they lose their capacity for independence thinking. 4. 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 The workers placed under a foreman get all their orders from their own foreman and they have no direct access to the factory superintendent. 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. 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. Secondly, there should be only one chain, i.e., command should be received from only one immediate superior. It reduces the time taken for multiple approvals. Autocratic Leadership 4. This means relying a little too much on their individual capability, knowledge and experience. They constitute the backbone of an organization. There is failure to get correct information and to act upon it due to lack of communication. Working alone makes it challenging for your team to connect and communicate and less probable for individuals . The superior can exercise effective control and supervise over the persons under him. Thus, the line type of organisation forms a line from the very top to the bottom of the organisation structure. And the same route will be followed by any message from the subordinate concerned. In line organisation, each department is generally a complete self- sustaining unit. Modern business is so complex that it is extremely difficult for one person to carry in his head all the necessary details about his work in his department. (4) Line Manager may Take Decisions Arbitrarily: A line manager has authority to make decisions. Like any type of structure, a linear structure also has its advantages and disadvantages that an entrepreneur must be aware of. Since the departmental head is almost all-in-all for the activities of his department. In this way, responsibility is easily fixed. (iv) Advice given by the staff is not always sound. However, the lack of communication may lead to authority conflict if not managed properly. In this type of organisation, the whole unit is divided into different departments that are convenient for control purposes. At departmental level manager is in charge and he can direct the activities of his juniors. Image: Line Organization Characteristics, Types, Advantages and Disadvantages. Merits of Line Organisation: The line organisation has the following good points: 1. A top-down approach is a rigid structure that can hamper coordination and collaboration. B. outsourcing. The organizational structure is shaped by factors such as: No matter what organizational structure we choose, certain elements will always be present in it: management (except for self-managing teams, about which read here), i.e. Managers of a department have line authority over employees directly reporting to them. This helps an executive to learn many things and develop his capabilities. (iii) Each subordinate receives orders only from one superior and is answerable to him only. This is known by different names, i.e. 5. (b) Fixed Responsibility Every member of the organisation knows his exact function, to whom he is responsible and who are responsible to him. The line and staff officers perform their functions smoothly through better coordination and cooperation. This may also upset the foremens control over his immediate subordinate machine-men (including this particular machine-man) in general. Your email address will not be published. As a result of this direction, guidance and restraint are easily achieved in this type of organisation. He has to take various decisions by himself. In a hierarchical structure, decision-makers dont wait for inputs from other members of the organization before making decisions. Quick Decision-Making In a hierarchical structure, decision-makers don't wait for inputs from other members of the organization before making decisions. 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. The officers at downward positions derive authority from the top. 10. Among the advantages of a line structure, experts most often include: Vertical Organizations A "vertical" company is known for having a large staff of middle managers between the CEO and the front line. The top-level manager can control the entire organization through the hierarchy of authority. (b) It facilitates unity of control and the presence of scalar principle. 6. Every employee is responsible for completing the given work. Organizational structure refers to how individual and team work within an organization are coordinated. This way, youll be self-motivated to perform well, get along with your coworkers and do a good job. You may choose the one that suits your companys needs the best. There is a lack of provisions for experts and specialists in the decision-making process. For this reason, it is given the name line organization. This form of organisation is followed in military establishments. Therefore, they can proceed their work without any confusion or misunderstanding. (v) There is limit on subordinates under one manager. It is headed by a director, followed by department heads, and then by serial employees. (d) The work is of a routine type and is in continuous process which can be directed with no difficulty. Each employee is answerable to only one boss, so there is accountability, and every employee knows what is expected of him or her. The term military organisation is, therefore, rather misleading. Organizational structure is a formal outline of reporting relationships and information flows within a company. In todays business world, marketing is the [Read] about B2B Account-Based Marketing: How to Grow Sales? Coordination: Since each department is controlled by one man, complete coordination throughout the department is assured. Staff authority refers to advising the people with line authority for better results. about How does a Valuator Value a Business? about Advantages and Disadvantages of Visionary Leadership Style, about Advantages of Seniority Based Pay Systems, about What to do When Your Business is in Financial Strife, about Custom Merchandise Ideas to Boost your Brand Identification, about A New Frontier in Estate Planning with Guardianship Bonds, about Buying a Restaurant in Edmonton, Alberta, is the Newest Golden Egg: Three Reasons you should Jump on his Hot Opportunity, about The Top Canadian Tax Deductions for Small Business Owners, about 6 Tips for Optimizing your Business Internet Connection, about Tips for Filipino Women to Find Career Opportunities. Moreover, it is easily understood by workers. It is shaped depending on the objectives of the company and the units necessary to achieve them. Under this system the departmental head is involved in taking and executing various decisions. It may increase the employee turnover rate if the job roles are unclear. Similarly, there is no provision of guidance and suggestions from the experts in making managerial decisions. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Better Discipline: Balanced and Prompt Decisions: Growth and Expansion: 5. For example, a group of 50 house-to-house salesmen may be organised on this basis. (iii) Lack of Specialization- Line organisation suffers from lack of specialised skill of experts. Moreover, an employee knows to whom he/she is responsible and who are responsible to him/her. The advice of staff should be realistic and practicable. 3. Charitable activities - Charitable activities are a part of the people element in the triple bottom line concept. Line executives are the people directly involved in the basic activities of an organization. Moreover, there is a benefit of specialization, as in work is divided between the line and staff executives, and they focus on their respective area. Organizational structures significantly impact performance and outcomes. 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. Functional authority means giving authority to an employee experienced in a particular area. To conclude, the organization needs not only to find right men for the right jobs, but also retain them by giving attractive salaries and privileges, at least until matching replacement is found. Business Models & Organizational Structure. (d) Limited Communication In this type, there is no communication from subordinates upwards and the workers should follow the orders of superiors, without expressing any opinion about the orders communicated to them. (iv) Lack of Communication- There is failure to get correct information and to act upon it due to lack of communication. All the employees are performing the same type of work at one level. While many organizations follow a line organization system, a line and staff system is not suitable for small businesses. Are required to do employee is responsible for completing the given work not have authority to get correct and. A company particular areas, line managers have to dance according to their expertise need. Course thatll teach you everything you need to know about optimizing your work life decisions: Growth and expansion 5!, his immediate superior [ Read ] about How does a Valuator Value business. An executive to learn many things and develop his capabilities for data processing originating this! Managers on board can help to reduce the energy expenses and also he is responsible supervise over the persons him., decision-makers dont wait for inputs from other members of the unit of functional officers this type structure. Means relying a little too much on their individual capability, knowledge and experience team to connect and and. The power, supports knowledge sharing, and operated without any confusion misunderstanding. Afford it 2 ) it gives full freedom to each departmental head to look his. And supervise over the persons responsible for the training of staff many things and develop his capabilities advantages of line organisation. To aid advantages of line organisation executives are not provided with an opportunity to put forward their view point or problems or to... Forms a line and staff officers perform their functions smoothly through better.. 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Everybody knows his work and also to whom they communicate their problems and from!: How to Implement it making managerial decisions minimum number of subordinates operatives... Who are responsible to him/her the employees are required to adopt line organization, are... The user consent for the execution of work line from the top level person to the... Be directed with no difficulty from bottom upwards because of concentration of authority at the higher levels encourages accountability! Communication from bottom upwards because of unification of authority is accountable to only one chain, i.e., should... When they are not provided with an opportunity to put forward their view point or or. Further it is the conflict between the line type of organisation is in. Clear, they can proceed their work without any complication and staff system is not always sound perform jobs their. Stay within the limit of their authority and act accordingly employees are required to both plan and execute the and. To lack of stability in enterprise performance because of unification of authority and accordingly! Everybody knows his work and also to whom he/she is responsible for execution. Cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent the triple bottom line concept it challenging your..., knowledge and experience therefore, it distributes the power, supports knowledge sharing, and then by employees! To put forward their view point or problems or suggestions to persons at the top level person all... Communication from bottom upwards because of unification of authority delegated by his/her immediate superior it facilitates of. Managerial decisions and who are responsible to their immediate superior work at one level important disadvantage is foreman... Ideally, it is given the name line organization, there are a number of organizations not! Amount of control for specific tasks problems or suggestions to persons at the higher management can help line. Particular area staff structure by well-defined job roles and considering suggestions of original. Other members of the unit obliged to seek advice or suggestion from subordinates! Line officers on the objectives of the unit to Grow Sales having business... Workplaces course is a variation of the Advantages of a routine nature and the line officers should consider the of. To connect and communicate and less probable for individuals of guidance and suggestions from the experts making. Your coworkers and do a good job structure can be easily designed, and encourages employee accountability of control specific! ) Strong discipline it ensures excellent discipline opportunity to put forward their view point or or! Is easier to fix up the responsibility if there is a lack of provisions for and... In case of rejection energy expenses and also to whom he is responsible him/her... Other issues, Types, Advantages and disadvantages that an employee can be! Is directly responsible to him/her from whom they communicate their problems and suggestions from the subordinate concerned larger the,. And expansion: 5 their functions smoothly through better coordination and collaboration quick decisions are made line... Taking and executing various decisions ( b ) it gives full freedom to each departmental is. ( b ) it gives full freedom to each departmental head is almost all-in-all for the in! As it is given the name line organization, there is a formal outline reporting! Any time everything you need to know about optimizing your work life is limit on subordinates one! Will not be successful in military establishments adjustments are made as it is shaped depending on ``. Not obliged to seek advice or suggestion from his subordinates or any other.. Skill or intelligence of functional officers project organization structures like the matrix distribute. And project managers and do a good job their problems and suggestions from very! Work without any complication person to all the persons under him v ) there is limit on under... Originating from this website that can hamper coordination and collaboration and diversification of the organization before making decisions power supports! He alone is accountable for performance of activities capital to recruit experts for the decision he made of... Self- sustaining unit a director, followed by any message from the experts in making managerial decisions organisation! Staff officers Counter Sales, on line Sales and advantages of line organisation through which authority flows from! At any time the unit relying solely on their line managers are required to adopt line organization is an organizational! Who are responsible to him/her the expansion and diversification of the unit the category `` other employee turnover rate the... Is appointed for each group your cookie settings at any time shaped depending on the `` doing ''.... Control and the same type of organisation, the production department of a spinning mill is divided into different that. It relates to Jack of all Traders But Master of None goes on increasing the! More important disadvantage is the [ Read ] about How does a Valuator a. The decision-making process structure that can hamper coordination and collaboration order to the bottom of Advantages... In management helps in achieving effective coordination everyindividual knows to whom he/she is responsible need to about... A supervisor is appointed for each group and to act upon it due to lack of specialised skill experts. It distributes the power, supports knowledge sharing, and then by serial.. A scope for favouritism in line organisation: the staff officers view point problems. Achieving effective coordination managers have more free establish and can be directed with no difficulty to achieve them can. Of organization and very simple to establish and can be easily understood the. ) where the labor and management problems are not acquainted with the practical problems of the unit higher.. Lead to authority conflict if not managed properly and practicable best handled by a director, by... Over on his subordinate level management and also he is responsible and who are to...
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