Sunday, March 10, 2019

Difference Between Line Organization And Line And Staff Organization

Difference Between Line Organization And Line And Staff Organization

The major dissimilarities or difference between line organization and line and staff organization can be highlighted as follows:

1. Introduction

Line Organization: A type of organizational structure where authority moves from top level to lower level and responsibility moves from lower to top level.
Line And Staff Organization: A type of organizational Structure where the tasks are properly divided and specialists and experts are attached to the line managers.

2. Type Of Authority

Line Organization: It follows centralized or command authority at the workplace.
Line And Staff Organization: It follows both centralized and advise (suggestions and guidance) authority at the workplace.

3. Division Of Authority

Line Organization: Yes, properly divided
Line And Staff Organization: No proper division of responsibility and authority

4. Maintenance Of Discipline

Line Organization: Hard and strictly maintained
Line And Staff Organization: Loose discipline than line organizational structure.

difference-line-organization-line-staff-organization


5. Applicable/Suitable

Line Organization: It is simple and traditional type of organizational structure. So, it is applicable for small firms with limited operational activities.
Line And Staff Organization: It is complex and modern type of organizational structure. So, it is applicable for big firms with large operational activities.

6. Advantages/Benefits

Line Organization: Simple, economical, prompt decision making, unified control, effective management are some advantages of line organization.
Line And Staff Organization: Specialization, balanced workload, more flexible etc. are some advantages of line and staff organization.

7. Disadvantages/Drawbacks

Line Organization: Autocratic management, overload, no specialization, favoritism, nepotism etc. are some drawbacks of line organization.
Line And Staff Organization: Possibility of conflict, more costly, greater confusion etc. are some drawbacks of line and staff organization.

8. Decision Making Process

Line Organization: Prompt decision is possible in this type of structure.
Line And Staff Organization: Suggestions and opinions of specialists and experts are required to take decision. So, decision making process is slow.

     
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9. Conflict/Misunderstanding

Line Organization: Less possibility of conflict and misunderstanding
Line And Staff Organization: Higher possibility of conflict and misunderstanding.

10. Specialization And Expertise

Line Organization: This kind of organizational structure does not promote specialization and expertise at the workplace
Line And Staff Organization: This kind of structure promotes specialization and expertise.

Line Organization Vs Line And Staff Organization (Comparison Chart)

Basis
Line Organization

Line And Staff Organization
Introduction

Organizational structure in which authority moves from top to bottom and responsibility moves from bottom to top level
Organizational structure in which tasks and responsibilities are properly divided among the line managers
Authority

Centralized
Both centralized and advise
Discipline

Strict
Loose
Suitable For

Simple and traditional firm
Complex and large firms
Benefits

Simplicity, economical, unified control etc.
Specialization, flexible, less work burden etc.
Drawbacks

Autocratic management, work load, favoritism etc.
Costly, confusing, chance of conflict etc.
Quick Decision

Possible
Not possible
Misunderstanding

Less
High
Specialization

Not possible
Yes
Authority

Properly divided
No proper division

I hope this post is helpful to understand the difference between Line organizational structure and line and staff organizational structure and to make comparison between them.