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.

This function provides authority to line manager over the subordinates. It is in the form of a series of steps and therefore involves the scalar principle.

The line of authority in organization should be as clear as possible. This line starts from the top management position to the subordinate positions. The clearer this line is, the more effective the organization will be as each level gets to know its responsibility and what share that level has in decision making

Decision making

Decision making can be regarded as the mental processes resulting in the selection of a course of action among several alternative scenarios. Every decision making process produces a final choice. The output can be an action or an opinion of choice.- Overview :Human performance in decision terms...

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The opposite of a line function is a staff function

Staff function

A staff function is a secondary business activity that supports the line functions 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...

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If the group of activities is a fundamental part of the organisation, set up to achieve its aims and objectives, it is called a line function. Such functions as production, purchasing and marketing are examples. These functions are often referred to as the 'primary group' of activities.