LIne-Staff Authority and Decentralization - Review Notes

Line authority gives a superior a line of authority over a subordinate.

Staff relationship is advisory. The function of person in a staff role is to investigate, research, and give advice to his line manager.

line and staff are characterized by relationships and not by departmental activities (K & D)

Today staff advice is far more critical. Operating managers are now faced with making decisions that require expert knowledge in economic, technical, political, legal and social areas.