Basic definitions
linear Organization (Line Organization) is the oldest form of organizational structure. So-called "linear" refers to such organization, authority to begin direct downward from the top "floating" (transfer, decomposition), via a plurality of tissue reached the lowest levels of management. Its characteristics are:
(1) Every organization has a direct executive powers to their direct reports.
everyone (2) the organization responsible only for work or report to his immediate supervisor.
(3) executives within its jurisdiction, has the absolute authority or powers completely. That is, the exercise of executive decision-making authority for all business activities under the jurisdiction of the department, command and supervision.
Structure
in FIG. 1, the workshop production operations are different in function, in the workshop to the further decomposition stage, and production operations team functions. Director (or General Manager) will typically decision-making power purchasing, sales, finance, personnel and other business activities, command and supervise concentrated in their hands, and exercise oversight of production and business activities. Therefore, in the linear organizational structure, management functions exist only vertical division of labor (terms of reference size) without the horizontal division of labor (purchasing, sales, finance, personnel, security, etc.). This form of organization, in a sense similar contract system step by step, is a centralized structure organized. Workshop director, section chief, team leader are responsible for production management operations, but its terms of reference are different. Terms of reference in their longitudinal dimension through the layer decomposition tends reduced. Workshop director, section chief, team leader has complete authority over jurisdiction areas (sectors) of production operations activities. Thus, in the linear organization, there is a horizontal division
job functions.
Management composition
linear organizational structure refers to the administrative command system architecture between the lowest corporate executives by top management is similar to a line manager, a subordinate only to a superiors responsible for only a subordinate organizational and management structure managed by a supervisor. Linear organizational structure and management structure means: management communication channel model adopted by enterprises is purely of single or multiple chain management mode of communication. In this communication the management structure, strict hierarchical system, a company can only be one of its employees on the lower level for uplink and downlink communication, communication in the chain across the top management and the lowest performers only a single uplink and downlink communication management.
We can see clearly, linear organizational structure largely determine the company's management structure is essentially linear management structure, and because management is communication, and corresponds therefore decided the basic morphology of management communication mode of communication channels are chain management mode. Careful analysis, linear organizational structure and chain management communication channel model has the following basic advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage is a lower level only by a higher-level management, reporting relationships clear and concise, clear strict hierarchical system, a good level of confidentiality, decision-making and implementation have a higher efficiency; sources of information management and communication of basic flow fixed, management of communication channels are also simple fix, speed and accuracy of communication management ensures a certain objectively. The disadvantage is that no professional management division, managers at all levels must be versatile managers, managers at all levels burden, but larger companies, it is difficult effective leadership and management; information management source of communication with the basic flow is tightly controlled Managers and the management communication speed and quality is heavily dependent on the respective intermediate points of a straight line, information can easily be intercepted or deletions, or causing failure management communication is not smooth.
From the management theory and practice in terms of organizational structure and straight-chain management channels of communication mode under certain conditions, has its own rationality and advantage. In the small number of small businesses or very confidential information requires strict hierarchical organizations such as small army, linear organizational structure and chain of communication channels and communication mode can simplify the management process, help to generate higher efficiency and organization benefit.
disadvantages
advantages:
1, the structure is simple;
2, responsibility and competence clear.
disadvantages:
1, in the case of large-scale organization of all management functions are concentrated borne by a person, it is more difficult;
2, inter-sectoral coordination is poor.
Applicability
This organizational structure is suitable for small scale enterprises, small number of employees, production and management are relatively simple case management or field operations, but also in small projects.
Category
With the evolution and development of enterprise and leadership system, organizational structure has gone through a process of development and change. So far, the main form of business organization structure: linear system, the functions of the system, the linear - functions of the system, the division system, simulated decentralization, matrix structure, but the core model organizational structure is linear and matrix-type hybrid . Chinese group enterprise organizational structure is relatively complex, usually functions of the system, the division system, a hybrid matrix structure. Usually functional organization based at the group level, subsidiary are present in substantially the form of division inside various subsidiaries employ linear or matrix organizational structure based on the characteristics of the business model.
Matrix Organization: the organizational structure, leading to both vertical system divided by function, but also the structure of the lateral leading relationship by product (other dimensions) is divided, called a matrix organization. The core matrix organization is a combination of horizontal and vertical two-dimensional structure. The advantage in solving the problems between management and collaborative business lateral organization, but this organization by the parent organization and multiple management leads to unclear responsibilities of leadership, outstanding management conflicts. Despite the diversity of organizational structure, but in the end can be expressed in terms of linear matrix +. In the hierarchical organization of the different levels of the organization structure focuses are different, straight-line organization in some hierarchy, in some hierarchy to matrix-based, hierarchical and is present in some combination of both.
implementation case
during the 1980s, General Motors, IBM and the US government this giant organization had used this form of organization structure, the results of the top leadership and workers of much room for up to 12 management, the fact that so much of the whole number of management organization and management lose efficiency.