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Introduction

Line & staff are the most widely used

concept in organizing & most of the

organization have line-staff structures.

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A manager who is in the revenue generating

chain and is authorized to issue orders to subordinates down the

chain of command.

Line Manager

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Authorized

Production

ManagerSupervisor

ExcellentExcellent

Plant Manager

LINE MANAGER

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A manager without the authority to give orders down

the chain of command (except in his or her own department); generally

can only assist and advise line managers in specialized

areas such as human resources management

Staff Manager

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Advisor

AccountingHuman

Resource

ExcellentExcellent

Engineerin

g

STAFF MANAGER

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Staff

Staff’s function is to support the Line functions.

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My personal view: Staff positions, like viruses, are necessary but you need to keep them under

control.

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Line and Staff Functions

Line functions Manufacturing Purchasing Customer support General Management

Staff functions Finance & accounting Human resources Corporate

communications Training

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Employees performing staff in an organization fall in three categories, on the basis of nature of responsibilities assign to them. These are:-

Types Of StaffTypes Of StaffTypes Of StaffTypes Of Staff

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TypesTypes

Of Of

StaffStaff

Specialized Staff Personal Staff

General Staff

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PERSONAL STAFF

A personal staff member assist the manager in performing his functions. It is generally attached with a manager at the top managerial level and is also called as “PERSONAL ASSISTANT”

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SPECIALIZED STAFFSpecialized staff represents functional specialists in specific areas. their chief function is to provide support to line managers in-charge of production sales & finance, in form of expert advice, guidance & service.

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GENERAL STAFF

The concept of general staff originates from military. Its function is to achieve coordination among staff units at headquarters and divisions.

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Staff specialists, while acting in an advisory capacity with line managers, generally exercise implied authority.

Line & Staff Authority

See…

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Concurrent Authority

Functional Authority

AdministrativeAuthority

ControlAuthority Line-Staff A

uthority

Line-Staff Authority

Splintered Authority

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Staff authority to influence line decisions is further strengthened in companies which require that in certain specified matters, line managers can implement their decisions only if they have received concurrence of relevant staff managers.

Example: raw materials or products can move through various stages of production only after the quality control inspector has inspected & passed the semi-finished product at each stage.

Concurrent AuthorityConcurrent AuthorityConcurrent AuthorityConcurrent Authority

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Functional authority is referred to as limited line authority. It gives a staff person power over a particular function, such as accounting. For example, members of an accounting department might have authority to request documents they need to prepare financial reports.

Functional AuthorityFunctional AuthorityFunctional AuthorityFunctional Authority

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Staff units are often required to ensure that company policies and procedures are being properly & uniformly followed in various departments.

Example: Filling of form while taking admission in hospital.

Control AuthorityControl AuthorityControl AuthorityControl Authority

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Staff executives are often delegated administrative authority over certain functions.

Example: The personnel manager is often given the administrative charge of running the plant canteens worker’s recreation centers, managing provident fund, pension plans, etc.

Administrative AuthorityAdministrative AuthorityAdministrative AuthorityAdministrative Authority

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Many a time, staff managers share authority with line managers in certain specified areas.

Example; a personnel manager can also be a member of selection & promotion committee, and materials manager may be a member of the purchase committee.

Splintered AuthoritySplintered AuthoritySplintered AuthoritySplintered Authority

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Work with the Staff manager.1

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Make sure the Staff manager’s boss knows when you get good support.

Try to get the Staff manager more involved in your business.

What to do if you’re a Line manager?

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Support the Line manager1

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Learn more about the Line Manager’s business

Become part of the Line manager’s team

What to do if you’re a Staff manager?

*Then You can be a more valuable Staff manager.Or you can move into a line position.

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Line-Staff relations are often characterized by more conflict than cooperation.Staff specialists complain that line managers are resistant to their ideas, and line managers complain that staff managers are sky-gazing specialists with no comprehension of practical situations

Line & Staff Conflict

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“individualistic” behavior among staff officers

The complication arising from staff efforts to justify its existence.

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2 Main Conflicts are:-

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Line-Staff conflict resolution is needed so that it does not become so aggravated as to become dysfunctional.

Resolving Line-Staff Conflicts

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Recognition of mutual dependency;

Clear understanding of staff role;

Constructive staff Attitude and Skills.

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3 Main Resolves are:-

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Thank you

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Questions…Questions…

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