What organizational characteristic promotes decision-making at lower levels of an organization?

Decentralized decision making promotes decision-making at lower levels of an organization by allowing authority and responsibility to be spread throughout various layers or departments. This structure enables managers and employees at lower levels to make decisions relevant to their specific areas of expertise without always needing approval from upper management. As a result, it encourages faster responses to local issues, fosters innovation, and enhances employee empowerment, leading to a more agile organization overall.

In contrast, centralized decision making concentrates authority at the top levels of management, limiting the role of employees in decision-making processes. Top-down management further reinforces this by dictating that decisions flow from upper management down to subordinates, often stifling local input. Hierarchical management structures also create layers of authority that can inhibit lower-level employees from having a significant voice in decision-making. Hence, decentralized decision-making is key to enabling those at lower levels to contribute effectively.