A structure designed to allow specialists to provide support to line departments is known as?

A structure designed to allow specialists to provide support to line departments is known as line-and-staff organizations. In this structure, line departments are responsible for the primary activities of the organization, such as production or sales, while staff specialists provide expertise and support in areas such as human resources, finance, or marketing.

This approach enhances operational efficiency, as it allows line managers to focus on their primary responsibilities while leveraging the specialized knowledge and skills of staff experts to assist in decision-making and problem-solving. Therefore, the line-and-staff organization is particularly effective in larger organizations where the complexity of operations requires specialized support.

The other organizational structures mentioned do not specifically emphasize the support role of specialists in the same way. Line organizations consist only of line personnel, where authority is centralized. Matrix organizations create a dual chain of command and are often more complex, while committee organizations focus on collective decision-making processes rather than specialist support.