Difference Between Line vs Line and Staff Organization

 

Difference Between Line vs Line and Staff Organization

 

What is the main difference between Line and Line and Staff organization?

The main difference between Line and Line and Staff Organization is the presence of Staff position in the Line and Staff Organization. A staff position is intended to provide expertise, advice and support for line positions. Staff functions contribute indirectly to goal accomplishment.

Basis	Line	Line and Staff	Matrix
Meaning	The organization in which the authority and responsibility moves downward, and accountability flows upward.	The organization structure in which specialist are added to the line managers to provide guidance and support	People with similar skills are pooled for work assignments
Decision Making	Totally Centralized	Partially Centralized	Totally Decentralized
Appropriate for	Small Organization	Large Organization	Organization with rapidly changing external environment
Discipline	Strict	Loose	Moderate
Authority	Command	Command and Advice	Command from different departments
Response to Change	Slow	Moderate	Fast
Use of Resource	Low	Moderate	Optimum
Cost	Economical	Expensive as two sets of employee are to be hired	Expensive if more managers are to be created through individual project team
Duplication of Effort	No	No	Possible
Confusion of functions	No	Unless the duties and responsibilities are clearly mentioned	A single staff have to work for different department
Reporting Channel	Clear	Clear	Unclear

Line Organization

Line organization is the oldest form of organization. There is direct and fixed line of authority between superior and subordinate. Authority flows from top to down in the organizational hierarchy. It entitles a manager to direct the work of subordinates. One employee has only one boss.

Line and Staff Organization

Line and staff organization is characterized by both line and staff position. A line portion is a position in the direct chain of command that is responsible for the achievement of an organization‘s goal. Line functions directly contribute to goal accomplishment. It contains the power to make and execute decision. A staff position is intended to provide expertise, advice and support for line positions. Staff functions contribute indirectly to goal accomplishment.

Difference Between Line and Line and Staff Organization on the basis of Meaning

The organization in which the authority and responsibility moves downward, and accountability flows upward is called Line Organization whereas The organization structure in which specialist are added to the line managers to provide guidance and support is Line and Staff Organization.

Difference Between Line and Line and Staff Organization on the basis of Decision Making

Decision Making is totally centralized in Line organization whereas In Line and Staff Organization Decision Making is Partially Centralized.

Difference Between Line and Line and Staff Organization on the basis of Appropriate for

Line organization is appropriate for Small Organization whereas Line and Staff Organization is appropriate for Large Organization.

Difference Between Line and Line and Staff Organization on the basis of Authority

In Line organization Authority flows as command only whereas in Line and Staff Organization Authority flowas as Command + Advice.

Difference Between Line and Line and Staff Organization on the basis of Use of Resource

Use of resource is very low in Line organization whereas use of resource is Optimum in Line and Staff Organization.