Question

IL. Write short notes on the following statements:(CTotal 10 polints, Spaints each) 1. Explain the difference between line authority and staff authority. Whst type of authority do humen resource managers have? 2.In some business situations, a person's race, nationality or religion may be a requirement for a job. Give some examples.

Answer 1

Line authority is based on the relationship between superior and subordinate. In an organization, line authority constitute the most fundamental authority. It is characterized by the decision making power. The line of authority flows from top to bottom and the lines of responsibility flow in the opposite direction. In organization that follow line authority, there is a better exertion of unified control. It is less complicated because it defines clear lines of authority and responsibility. But in spite of this, it often leads to one-way communication.

On the other hand, staff authority refers to the right to being able to advice the authorities on making the line employees effective in performing their assigned tasks. Staff personnel work as independent employees and do not have to report to higher authorities. They are highly specialized experts and their cost of recruitment in high. Small organizations may not employ them based on their high costs but they are inseparable from a larger organization where the need for their expert advices is greater and their costs is lesser in comparison to the worth of the benefits that can be derived from their advices and suggestions. Thus, the size of the organization plays an important role in determining whether or not the staff personnel should be employed.

Both line and staff personnel are required to work together in collaboration in order to ensure efficiency of operations. However conflicts between line and staff personnel are sometimes unavoidable emerging as a result of overlapping duties and responsibilities adversely affecting their effectiveness.