(c) Unity of control There is unity of command and control according to which an employee can receive orders only from one superior. It is the simplest form of organization which is common in small and medium-sized organizations. This form of organisation is followed in military establishments. A line organization is the oldest and traditional form of organizational structure. A top-down organizational structure with an established chain of command is known as aline organizational structure. Line personnel command the workers and give feedback. The departmental head has full authority to manage and control of that department. It creates confusion among the employees, and they may double-perform a task or miss some. Advantages of a linear structure. 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. The term military organisation is, therefore, rather misleading. For example, the owner of a small business acts as the leader or manager of inline systems. It requires high capital to recruit experts for the training of staff. Two types of managerial authority are granted by an organizational structure. Sound Decisions: In this type, the decisions are made by experts and hence, there is a possibility of making sound managerial decisions. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The decisions may lack objectivity. Each organizational structure has its specific characteristics. Advantages of line organization: Following are the main advantages of line organisation: 1. Lack of Specialization 3. It gives complete control to the top hierarchy, exhibiting authoritative leadership. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Thus, this system can be successfully practised where: (a) The business is carried on a small scale with a small number of subordinates and operatives. Quick Decision: Quick decisions are taken by the employees because of unification of authority and responsibility. Prof. Florence enunciates three principles which are necessary to realise the advantages of this system, and the non-observance of which would involve inefficiency. Unified Control- Since the orders are given by one superior, there is no confusion among the subordinates. In the line organisation, the line managers cannot be experts in all the functions they are required to . 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. A manager can only order his immediate subordinates, and for the subordinates the dictate is First obey, and then argue. In this type of organisation, the whole unit is divided into different departments that are convenient for control purposes. Unity of Command: Since the workers are responsible only to one superior, unity of command is made possible. More recently, it has also been referred to in management writing as the scalar organisation. List of the Advantages of a Line of Credit. By this method, specialisation is attained. Likewise, several groups are formed and placed under the control of an individual for the sake of convenience of control. Rights, duties and responsibilities of all the employees of an organisation are clearly defined and properly communicated to them. However, you can make the best out of it by making adequate changes in the organizational structure. Since the organization includes line and staff functions, decisions can be made easily. Where the process of production is continuous or special. Relief to Line Executives: The Staff officers look after the detailed analysis of each important managerial activity which is a big relief to the line officers. The subordinates should get commands only through their immediate superiors. The links in the chain of command should not be skipped. The managerial growth also suffers because lower level persons are not involved in decision-making process. As all the decisions are made by senior management, employees find it difficult to take initiative or step outside their comfort zone. What is Strategy Implementation and How To Implement it? A disadvantage of a line-and-staff organization is conflict between line and staff personnel. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. (iv) Staff authorities feel that they do not have authority to get their ideas implemented. 6. 7. The reactions of subordinates also reach top management in a short span of time. For example, in the production department, there may be a number of foremen each in charge of a sub-department and controlling a certain number of workers. In a simple organizational structure, various departments are autonomous, and there is little communication with each other. Accountability This approach makes it much easier to assign responsibility for actions and results. Line organization enables the staff to work more toward the execution of tasks. The operation of line organization is very simple. It means the staff authority may work to facilitate the process in line control. (iii) Line organization is not suitable to big organizations because it does not provide specialists in the structure. The executive may appoint and promote his own men in various positions ignoring the claim of efficient persons. 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. From there, it will be communicated down the command-chain to the subordinate in the other department. There are both advantages and disadvantages of line organization. At each level, the superior makes decisions within the scope of authority derived by him from his own boss. 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. 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). Since they are to take decisions with regard to every aspect of business, the quality of decisions may suffer. Teamined.com is a meeting room for employer and employee that will help you build positive employer branding or get your dream job. Each of these departments will report directly to the supervisor above them. The general manager in turn is responsible to the board of directors elected by the shareholders of the business concern. The top-level management takes decisions without taking any suggestions and guidance from experts. The line officers only have to perform the routine work and leave the rest to staff officers. The staff officer may plan and implement them with their own judgment without suggestions from others. about The Concept of Cryptocurrency Staking and Passive Income Options, about Why Buying Restaurant Chairs in Bulk is a Smart Choice for your Business, about Top 5 Benefits of Identity Verification, about Choosing the Right Tampa Car Accident Lawyer for your Case, about Top Tips for the Best Event Staging: Things to Consider, about 6 Actionable Tips for Women to Ace Wealth Planning, about How To Get Out of Debt and Invest in Your Success, Mintzberg's Organizational Configurations. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 8. Your email address will not be published. 4. In smaller organizations, where the work is streamlined and tasks are assigned, its the most effective way to achieve your goals. The chain of command goes from top to bottom. Every person is accountable to only one person i.e. (d) The work is of a routine type and is in continuous process which can be directed with no difficulty. Definition, Types, Reasons, and Pros/Cons. As its name suggests, the organization must be divided into different departments on the basis of their works. For instance, a senior manager can discuss ideas and goals with a chief supervisor. (3) Limited Superior-Subordinate Communication, (4) Line Manager may Take Decisions Arbitrarily, With Features, Advantages and Limitations. All the staff members of the organization clearly understand the their jobs and responsibility easily. Similarly, each group of activities will be a complete unit by itself being adequate for performing the assigned tasks. Quick Decision. It is the oldest form of organization. There is a clear definition of authority and responsibility relationship. . Every employee is responsible for completing the given work. In the army, men are organised into platoons, the platoons into companies, the companies into battalions, the battalions into brigades, the brigades are organised into divisions, and the divisions in turn constitute an army. If the top executives are not capable, the enterprise will not be successful. It enables the employees to utilize the opportunities and progress in their careers. 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. Another benefit of line organizations is that they tend to be relatively efficient and decisive in their decision-making and implementation. The line and staff officers perform their functions smoothly through better coordination and cooperation. Expert Advice: The staff officers provide expert advice and guidance to line officers and by this, the enterprise as a whole gets benefit. Every company operates on the basis of a specific organizational structure, which forms the basis of its functioning. The modern military organisations do not entirely rely on line organisation. The line office cannot devote sufficient time to each and every work and are over loaded with responsibilities. 6. Flexibility: This system is flexible in the sense that it is subject to quick adjustments to suit the changing conditions. And, every employee is directly responsible to his immediate superior. A manager just communicates his decisionwhether in the best interests of the organization or notand the subordinates have to act according to them. There are no staff personnel to advice line officers. The work load of executives goes on increasing with the expansion and diversification of the unit. Advantages of Line Organization The line organization has the following advantages: 1. Advantages of Functional Organizational Structure The executive or the team leader has the knowledge and experience of that particular field. 5. In recent times, however, the military organisations have undergone changes similar to those occurring in the industrial and other organisations. 2. The line officers and staff officers perform their specific functions to contribute to the overall operation. Lets explore the pros and cons of aline organizational structure. Since the departmental head has to look after all the activities of his department, he is over burdened with work. Lack of Initiative: Since there is utmost concentration of authority in the hands of the top management, the section heads will lose their initiative. In line organisation, each department is generally a complete self- sustaining unit. This type of organisation is largely existing in modern industry. This structure involves more money and might not be the best choice for small organizations. Minimum number of employees are required to adopt line organization. (ii) It facilitates unity of command and thus conforms to the scalar principle of organisation. This affects their creativity and capacity for independent thinking. The Commander- in-Chief is at the top with various other officers at the lower levels. Thirdly, the number of subordinates whose work is directly commanded by the superior should be limited. Line organization is the oldest and simplest method of administrative organization. There is a likelihood that some persons may be given favours and deserving persons, on the other hand, may be ignored. If they are not able the enterprise will not be successful. 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. Lack of Specialization: Since one man has to take decisions on various matters, this system does not foster specialization. Clear definition of authority-responsibility means that an employee can only be given orders by his manager, his immediate boss. He may neglect some of the duties and there may be inefficiency in management. The lack of managerial specialisation is the demerit of line organisation. 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. Thus it relates to Jack of All Traders But Master of None. This line system is not without disadvantages. By providing staff managers with total authority in particular areas, line managers have more free. It allows them to look for plans for the growth of the company. about What Fabric Choices Work Best for Printed Dresses? This enables a manager to take prompt decisions. In setting the departments, the similarity of function is taken into account. The number of subordinates is limited under line organisation. The open office arrangement has the fantastic benefit of enhancing business culture. (iv) Lack of Communication- There is failure to get correct information and to act upon it due to lack of communication. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. So it can be operated simply and clearly. Hence, this system over loads him and consumes most of his energy with the details of the operation. Where the labor and management problems are not difficult to solve. The advice of staff should be realistic and practicable. (ii) There is concentration of authority at the top. It does not store any personal data. 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. 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. 7. The concept of line organization holds that in any organization derived from a scalar process, there must be a single head who commands it. 2. (i) Less Expensive It is less expensive as no expenditure on staff personnel is involved. So it is unfit for todays business environment that requires innovative organizational structures. C. benchmarking. All other types of organization structure have mostly been either modifications of this organization. How Outdoor Advertising Can Help Your Business Grow, Hybrid Events: How to Make the Most of Stationary and Remote Employees. Under this organisation, activities on any one level are the same. Main article photo: photo by Vlada Karpovich, source: pexels.com. What is Business Level Strategy? vi. According to , the most pressing challenges they face in human resource spectrum are: high degree of employee turnover, management risk (Omolaja ,2015), inadequate management knowledge, shortage of. A foreman heads each department. about A Comprehensive Guide to Enterprise Thin Client Systems. Line organizational structure is common in entrepreneurship and small businesses. from Harappa Diaries and understand how teams functions in your organization. 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. Functional structure introduces a division into functional departments headed by specialists. According to McFarland, Line structure consists of the direct vertical relationship which connects the positions and tasks of each level with those above and below it.. Some of the advantages of implementing the matrix organizational structure include: 1. 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. This always includes production and sales, and sometimes marketing. Hence, less expenses is incurred for adopting line organization. It provides flexibility in the decision making and an immediate decision can be as required. Disadvantages of Line and Staff Organisation. (iii) Each subordinate receives orders only from one superior and is answerable to him only. Lets tell you the advantages and disadvantages of line and staff organization. Last Updated on February 10, 2023 By Methew Harbor Leave a Comment. Although there is communication from top to bottom there is usually no communication from the lower ranks to higher ranks and executives. Good and efficient emperors were able to achieve a great deal whereas an inefficient and weak emperor spoilt everything. (ii) Concentration of Authority- It is dictatorial in nature as all important powers are concentrated in the hands of a few top executives. Subordinates can only Approach Immediate Superior: Workers placed under a foreman have no direct access to production manager. 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