Which management structure is characterized by decision-making distributed among various department managers?

A management structure where decision-making authority is distributed among various department managers is known as a decentralized management structure. In this approach, departments or divisions have the power to make decisions that typically pertain to their specific areas. This allows for quicker responses to local issues, innovation, and the ability for managers to tailor decisions to their department's unique needs without always waiting for top management approval.

Decentralization fosters a sense of responsibility and ownership among department managers, as they are empowered to make decisions that directly affect their teams and operational areas. It tends to lead to greater employee engagement, as managers at various levels have more control over their tasks and can make improvements or adjustments swiftly.

The other management structures mentioned, such as centralized, hierarchical, and flat, differ significantly. A centralized structure consolidates decision-making at the top level, with lower levels primarily executing decisions made by upper management. A hierarchical structure features multiple layers of management, creating clear ranks and authority lines, while a flat structure reduces the number of management levels, allowing for a more collaborative environment but still lacks the significant distribution of decision-making power found in decentralization.