Line & Staff
Transcript of Line & Staff
1
2
3
4
Introduction
Line & staff are the most widely used
concept in organizing & most of the
organization have line-staff structures.
5
A manager who is in the revenue generating
chain and is authorized to issue orders to subordinates down the
chain of command.
Line Manager
6
Authorized
Production
ManagerSupervisor
ExcellentExcellent
Plant Manager
LINE MANAGER
7
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
8
Advisor
AccountingHuman
Resource
ExcellentExcellent
Engineerin
g
STAFF MANAGER
9
Staff
Staff’s function is to support the Line functions.
10
My personal view: Staff positions, like viruses, are necessary but you need to keep them under
control.
11
12
Line and Staff Functions
Line functions Manufacturing Purchasing Customer support General Management
Staff functions Finance & accounting Human resources Corporate
communications Training
13
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
14
TypesTypes
Of Of
StaffStaff
Specialized Staff Personal Staff
General Staff
15
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”
16
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.
17
GENERAL STAFF
The concept of general staff originates from military. Its function is to achieve coordination among staff units at headquarters and divisions.
18
Staff specialists, while acting in an advisory capacity with line managers, generally exercise implied authority.
Line & Staff Authority
See…
19
Concurrent Authority
Functional Authority
AdministrativeAuthority
ControlAuthority Line-Staff A
uthority
Line-Staff Authority
Splintered Authority
20
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
21
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
22
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
23
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
24
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
25
Work with the Staff manager.1
3
2
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?
26
Support the Line manager1
3
2
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.
27
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
28
“individualistic” behavior among staff officers
The complication arising from staff efforts to justify its existence.
1
2
2 Main Conflicts are:-
29
Line-Staff conflict resolution is needed so that it does not become so aggravated as to become dysfunctional.
Resolving Line-Staff Conflicts
30
Recognition of mutual dependency;
Clear understanding of staff role;
Constructive staff Attitude and Skills.
1
2
3
3 Main Resolves are:-
31
Thank you
32
Questions…Questions…
??