Staff authority grants which of the following?

• A. Authority to advise and support line managers.
• B. The official power to make strategic decisions.
• C. Authority to hire new staff across departments.
• D. The power to demand compliance from all employees.

Answer: (A)

Staff authority is the right to advise and support line managers, not to command or make decisions on behalf of the organization. It exists to provide specialized input, analysis, and guidance that helps those who have direct responsibility for achieving goals. Because of this, staff cannot unilaterally set strategy, hire across departments, or demand compliance from all employees. The authority to make strategic decisions rests with line managers and top leaders who have direct decision-making power, while hiring and enforcement of rules typically come from those with line or supervisory authority. So the correct choice captures the advisory and supportive role that staff units play within the hierarchy.