For decades, management consultants, and the popular business press called for large firms to flatten their hierarchies. Alignment (or abolition) generally refers to the elimination of layers in the hierarchy of the firm and the extension managers spans of control. Anticipated benefits flow primarily from pushing decisions down to improve market efficiency and increasing the responsibility and morality. Flattening has delivered on its promise? This article shows that the compression layer control can have the opposite effect of their intent. In fact, flattened firms typically have more control and decision-making at the top. "Hide
by Julie M. Wolf Source: California Management Review 19 pages. Publication Date: October 24, 2012. Prod. #: CMR520-PDF-ENG
Related Case Solutions & Analyses:
Coach K: Matter of the Heart
Engine Services Inc.
Indirect Competition: Strategic Considerations
Standard International Inc. (B)
Overhead Reduction Task Force
CIBC Corporate and Investment Banking (C)–1997-99
Saudi Arabia: Modern Reform, Enduring Stability
The Eagle and the Dragon: The November 1999 US-China Bilateral Agreement and the Battle Over PNTR
Zintro, Inc. – Hiring a Management Team
Ratios Tell a Story
