Final answer:
A line function within an organization refers to tasks that directly advance its primary business objectives, such as production, which is directly responsible for the creation of goods or services intended for sale.
Step-by-step explanation:
Within an organization, a line function is directly involved in performing the primary activities which fulfill the organization's mission. Examples of line functions include production and sales, which are directly implicated in creating and selling products or services the company offers. On the other side, staff functions such as maintenance, public relations, and administrative services provide necessary support to the line functions but do not directly contribute to the production or sales.
Production would be considered a line function as it is directly responsible for the creation of goods or services that a company provides. This is part of the core mission of most companies which is to produce products or offer services that can be sold to customers to generate revenue.