---
title: "Committee organization and its types"
subject: "Organization and Management"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_7/organization_and_management:committee-organization"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/organization_and_management/committee-organization
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Committee organization and its types

Organization and Management · Chapter 5: Organizational Structure

- Asked in: 2074 Chaitra, 4 marks; year not given
- Video: [22. Committee Form of Organization from Principles of Management Subject](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH75cDNQ5OY) — Devika's Commerce & Management Academy
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/organization_and_management/committee-organization
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/organization_and_management/chapter-5

## Question

Explain committee organization and its types (with advantages and disadvantages).

## Short answer

A committee is a group appointed to collectively discuss, advise, or decide on matters. Types include line/executive, staff/advisory, standing, and ad hoc committees. Advantages: pooled knowledge, better decisions, and improved coordination. Disadvantages: slow decisions, high cost, diffused responsibility, and risk of groupthink.

## Answer

#### Committee organization
A committee is a group of persons formally appointed by an organization to discuss, advise or decide on specific matters collectively. It is not a stand-alone structure but is used along with line and staff structure to share expertise and improve decisions. Members meet, discuss and act as a group. Example: the audit committee of a bank's board, or a procurement committee for a hydropower project.

#### Types of committees
1. **Line (executive) committee:** Has authority to decide and execute (board of directors).
2. **Staff (advisory) committee:** Only gives advice or recommendations.
3. **Standing (permanent) committee:** Continuing; for example, the finance or HR committee.
4. **Ad hoc (temporary) committee:** Formed for a particular task and dissolved after, such as a selection committee.
5. **Formal and informal committees:** Formal committees are officially created; informal ones form without formal authority.
6. **Functional committee:** Works in one function such as purchasing or safety.
7. **Plural executive:** A group, rather than an individual, holds top authority.

#### Advantages
1. Brings together diverse knowledge and views.
2. Better quality decisions.
3. Improves coordination and communication.
4. Motivates members through participation.
5. Avoids concentration of power.
6. Useful for complex problems.

#### Disadvantages
1. Slow decisions and delay.
2. Costly in time and money.
3. Compromise decisions and "groupthink".
4. Responsibility is divided; no one is accountable.
5. Dominance of a few members.
6. May lead to indecision.

Committees work best when the objective, authority and size (usually 5 to 9) are clear.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. How is a committee best described?
   A. A temporary employee
   B. A single manager deciding alone
   C. A group formally appointed to discuss, advise or decide collectively, used along with line and staff structure
   D. A stand-alone structure replacing line
   Answer: C. A committee is not a stand-alone structure; it works along with line and staff. (Key point: Committee meaning)

2. Which committee is formed for a particular task and dissolved after it?
   A. Standing committee
   B. Ad hoc committee
   C. Line committee
   D. Functional committee
   Answer: B. Ad hoc committees are temporary, e.g. a selection committee. (Key point: Ad hoc)

3. What does a staff (advisory) committee do?
   A. Replaces the board
   B. Only gives advice or recommendations
   C. Holds all top authority
   D. Executes decisions
   Answer: B. A staff committee only advises; a line committee decides and executes. (Key point: Staff committee)

4. Which is a disadvantage of committees?
   A. Concentration of power
   B. Low quality of ideas always
   C. Poor participation
   D. Divided responsibility and slow decisions
   Answer: D. Committees delay decisions and divide responsibility so no one is accountable. (Key point: Disadvantage)