Line and staff functions

1. Line and Staff Functions
A widely accepted description of the difference between the
two is that “line functions are those functios which have
direct responsibility for accomplishing the objectives of the
enterprise” while staff “refers to those elements of the
organization that help the line to work most effectively in
accomplishing the primary objectives of the enterprise.”
Those who accept this definition of line
authority,immediately consider production and sales or
marketing as line functions whilst accounting,personnel
purchasing and quality control are considered as staff
functions.Purchasing and quality control become an
auxiliary functions.
Causes of Conflict Between Line and Staff:
The Line manager have the following objections
against the staff people:
(1)Undermining the Line Authority:Line official
frequently feel that the existence of staff authority
undermines line authority.It is presumed by the top
management that line officers lack knowledge,
competence and development attitudes.It creates
frustation in the minds of line officers.
(2) Staff tends to Assume Line Authority: Line executives
frequently feel that the staff people encroach upon their
rights and prerogatives. It creates discontent in their minds.
(3)Advice not Always Sound:It is also a general complaint
from the managers that the advice of staff is only
theoretical and unrealistic.It is not balanced and
practicable.
(4) Credit goes to Staff Personnel:It is also a general
complaint that there is a tendency of staff to assume

2. credit of successful programmes and to lay the blame on
line executive in case they are not successful.
On the other hand, staff authorities have the
following complaints against line personnel:
(1) Advices are Ignored:Line managers feel that asking
for the advice of the staff’s is admitting defeat so they
do not ordinarily go for staff’s advice.
(2) Resistance for Change:It is also general complaint
from the side of staff personnel that line managers are
more cautious and slow to accept new ideas. They resist
to change.
(3) Lack of Authority: A general complaint from the
staff’s side is the lack of proper authority. Staff
specialists feel that if they have arrived at the best
solution to a problem they should be able to put it
into action. But due to lack of commanding authority,they
are unable to do so.