Business – 7.1 Organisational structure – Line and staff | e-Consult
7.1 Organisational structure – Line and staff (1 questions)
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Answer: The table below outlines the main differences:
| Aspect | Line Manager | Staff Specialist |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Directly achieve organisational goals (e.g., production, sales) | Provide expert advice and support (e.g., HR, finance) |
| Authority | Decision‑making power over resources and operations | Advisory influence; no direct control over operational resources |
| Responsibility | Accountable for meeting targets, budgets, and performance standards | Responsible for delivering accurate analysis, policies, and recommendations |
| Impact on Decision‑Making | Decisions directly affect output and profitability | Decisions shape the framework, compliance, and support for line actions |
Because line managers control resources, they may resist staff recommendations that appear to limit operational flexibility. Conversely, staff specialists may feel undervalued if their advice is consistently ignored, leading to tension in decision‑making processes.