Rutgers Introduction To Management Practice Exam

Reducing hierarchical levels to create a flatter organizational structure is called flattening the organization (also known as delayering). The idea is to trim the layers of management so the chain of command is shorter, which speeds up decision-making, improves communication, and gives employees more autonomy and visibility. Centralization, by contrast, focuses authority at the top and does not inherently reduce layers. Bureaucracy refers to a formal, rule-driven system that often features many procedures and layers, not the aim of shortening the hierarchy. A matrix structure mixes reporting lines across functions or projects, creating dual accountability rather than simply removing levels. So, the term that best describes reducing levels to achieve a flatter structure is flattening the organization.