Line and Staff Relations

Line and staff relationships are important in organizations but this is one area of management that causes much confusion and conflict.Line authority follows from the scalar principle as being that relationship in which a superior exercises direct supervision over a subordinate. They are therefore the positions in the direct chain of command with specific responsibility for accomplishing the goals of the organization.

Staff positions are advisory. Their function is to investigate, research and give advice to the line managers who they support. Staff positions are therefore outside the direct chain of command and are primarily supportive in nature.

These distinctions between line and staff are becoming less clear as managers realize that everyone in the organization is part of the same team and that all are important for effectiveness.

The distinction is however important as a way of organizational life. Superior and subordinates must know whether they are acting in a staff or line capacity. If staff, they must realize their job is to advise and not command. The commands and the decisions must be made by the line superiors through the chain of command