Staff function
Encyclopedia
A staff function is a secondary business activity that supports the line function
s of a business to achieve the objectives. In business management, staff functions are usually defined as all functions that are not line functions. The nature of this function is advisory. The people belonging to this function investigate, research, and give advice to their line managers.
with advisory support. Thus helping a business organisation to work more efficiently and effectively.
A business can usually survive the failure of, or use substitutes for the staff function. Staff functions vary between businesses, but usually include activities like advertising, human resources, and plant maintenance.
Line function
A line function is a primary business activity that negatively affects income or the customer experience if it is interrupted. Line functions vary between businesses. These functions are directly related with the objectives of the enterprise....
s of a business to achieve the objectives. In business management, staff functions are usually defined as all functions that are not line functions. The nature of this function is advisory. The people belonging to this function investigate, research, and give advice to their line managers.
Need
The business world is changing very rapidly and each day new kind of issues and problems are cropping up and it requires specialisation in these fields to deal with these ever-changing conditions. As it is impossible for an individual to have specialization in each of these fields, there is a requirement of specialised people who can provide quick solutions and hence staff function proves beneficial. It provides the line functionLine function
A line function is a primary business activity that negatively affects income or the customer experience if it is interrupted. Line functions vary between businesses. These functions are directly related with the objectives of the enterprise....
with advisory support. Thus helping a business organisation to work more efficiently and effectively.
Limitations
- Blame game between line and staff: The staff only proposes a plan; the function to implement that plan is of the line. If a plan fails the staff blames the line, and the line blames the staff.
- Hostile environment can prevail: Some line managers don't like to get suggestions from staff members; sometimes, however, they are pressured into accepting staff plans. This creates friction between the two functions. Sometimes this pressure is due to the goodwill of staff as they hold expertise in their field, that lands line into dire straits (there are, of course, always).
A business can usually survive the failure of, or use substitutes for the staff function. Staff functions vary between businesses, but usually include activities like advertising, human resources, and plant maintenance.