MEANING AND DEFINITION OF LINE ORGANISATION
This is the oldest form of organization. It refers to a direct chain of command from top to bottom. This chain of command defines the line of communication. In this form of organisation, all the lines are with the top officers. Junior Officers get orders from their seniors. In other words, the orders and directions are in the form of a line, in a line organisation.
"Line organisation is characterised by direct line of efforts flowing from top to the bottom of the organisational hierarchy and lines of responsibility flowing In an opposite but equal direct manner.'
Prof. James L. Lundy,
"Line organisation is the chain of command that extends from the Board of Directors through the various delegations and re-delegations of authority and responsibility to the point where the primary activities of the company are performed."
Louis A. Allen,
"Line organisation is one in which the superiors have full authority over their subordinates subject only to the terms of the contract that bind the employees to the organisation.'
Prof. Raymond Viller,
"The line organisation is the hierarchy of executives and operating personnel which extends from the executive head of the entire organisation to the groups of primary operation."
Prof. R. C. Davis,
Thus, in the line organisation, authority and responsibility flow vertically in an unbroken straight line from one level to another. Every superior has complete command over his subordinates and every subordinate is directly answerable to only one superior, just above him. There is complete unity of command.
Therefore, this organisation is also known as Military Organisation, Scalar Organisation, Departmental Organisation and Vertical Organisation.
RELATED TOPIC
Characteristics of Human Resource Management
Objective of Human Resource Management
Scope of Human Resource Management
