1. Line and staff authority
Authority
• Authority is the right to make decisions, to
direct the work of others, and to give orders
and expect the orders to be obeyed.
• The authority are of two types
– Line authority
– Staff authority

2. Line authority
• It is a hierarchical form of authority
• Manager to direct the work of an employee
• It is the employer-employee authority
relationship that extends from top to bottom.
• line manager directs the work of employees
and makes certain decisions without consulting
anyone.
• It is small level enterprise
• Top management has complete control
• An example of a line manager is a marketing executive

3. • Line authority work as
– Chain of command (higher position to lower
position)
– Channel of communication (someone to report
and others to report him)
– Carrier of responsibility (who is accountable for
what and for the performance of the activity)

4. Staff authority
• Has right to direct or command subordinates who
work under them but with respect, play a advisory
role in recommending and assisting.
• Primary is company vision and secondary is support
and indirect contribution to line function.
• Marketing executive can support in market
forecasting and generating product and service
demand to production department.
• Staff managers provide support, advice, and
knowledge to other individuals in the chain of
command.
• Although staff managers are not part of the chain of
command

5. • Staff authority is of following forms
– Advisory staff authority
– Compulsory staff consultation
– Concurring authority (raw material check by QC
Dept)