Line Manager: -

Line manager is a person who deals with direct managerial responsibility for
a particular employee. Line manager manages employees and operations of
a business while reporting to the higher authority. Line manager is an in
charge of essential activities like operations and authorized to issue orders
to subordinates down the chain of command.

They have direct control over the staff employee

Line manger involves day to day operations of the organization

They work towards organizational goal.

They work superior in the management chain; the person who take care of
employees and responsibility.

It is a term often used interchangeably with “direct manger”.

They play an important role in the overall organizational performance.

Line managers are critical mechanism in ensuring that new programs and
strategies are implemented in timely effective manner after identifying
problems.

Staff Manager: -

Staff manager is an in-charge person who consumes revenue, advice and

guide to the line manager. Staff manger doesn’t make decision but he helps
to take decision.

They don’t have direct control over the line employee

They involve assisting line personal and aid top management in various
business activities

They work towards guiding and supporting line managers

They take care of line management and top management

They work for advice, guideline and knowledge to the individual of chain of
command

They play an important role in the solving technical problems, guidance and
decision

Staff managers are not part of the chain of command related to direct
production of products or services, they do have authority over personnel.

Line Function:

Line function is one in which a superior exercises authority directly over a

subordinate. In a Directorate of Agriculture, the Director of Agriculture is the
head of the organization. The agricultural officers at the zonal, district, sub-
division and block levels are the line personnel.

Staff Function:

Staff function is advisory in nature and is meant to assist the line personnel.
They think for the head of the organization/office and give necessary
support and advice. In the Directorate of Agriculture, the Additional
Directors of Agriculture, Joint Directors of Agriculture at the headquarters
and the State levels specialists like Entomologist, Plant Pathologist, Soil
Chemist, Statistician etc. are the staff of the Director of Agriculture. Except
the State level technical staff, others generally do not have independent
office and do not maintain their separate identity. They work for the head of
the organization or office.