16.11 LINE AND STAFF ORGANISATION Both line and staff organisations suffer from same drawbacks. On the other hand, line organisation is
autocratic and staff organisation, on the other hand, has loose control. Line and staff organisation
eliminates the drawbacks of both and also has the good points of them. It is a happy blending of line
and staff organisations. Both line and staff personnel have important roles today. This organisation
owes its birth to the army. A commander in the field is assisted by staff officers in planning and
executing his strategies. He will like to know the position of his enemies so that he is able to plan his
own placings. Staff officer helps the commander in all aspects of his job.
A line manager is vested with executive authority. He is responsible for making important decisions
and is also accountable for their implications. Line officers are responsible for the accomplishment of
various objectives. The authority flows vertically from top to bottom. The staff organisation facilitates
the accomplishment of organisational objectives by making available valuable advice and expert
knowledge. Staff officers may be asked to suggest solutions to various problems entrested by line
officers. They have no authority to command the line staff but have control within their own
organisations.
16.12 ADVANTAGES OF LINE AND STAFF ORGANISATION This organisation has the following advantages.
(A) Balanced and Prompt Decisions: The functional managers have the advantage of expert advice
when taking important decisions. The staff can also be used to investigate and advice on inter-
departmental relationships. The line officers can take balanced and quick decisions.
(B) Quick Actions: The line officers will have sufficient time to take various decisions. Whenever
there is a need for certain decisions, they will be able to devote time and decide the things. This type
of situation helps in solving many issues which would have created difficulties if timely decisions
would not have been taken.
