Line and staff organisation

How it is used

Use to distinguish operational authority from advisory expertise; actual powers depend on the organisation.

Example sentences

1. In the line and staff organisation, legal specialists advised store managers on contracts.

   Specialist advice supports managers who retain operational responsibilities.

2. The line and staff organisation faced tension when advisers began issuing direct production instructions.

   Confusion arises when advisory and operational authority are not distinguished.

Common collocations

• line and staff organisation
• line and staff relationships

Related terms

• line managerThe person directly above you who manages your daily work, approves your leave and reviews your performance.
• authorityThe official power or right to make decisions, give instructions and use resources, usually linked to a person's role in an organisation.

More terms: Organisational Structure

• manager
• team leader
• org chart
• report to
• direct report
• senior management
• middle management
• hierarchy
• span of control
• matrix structure
• silo
• chain of command