Which term describes the removal of one or more layers from the organizational structure?

• A. Chain of Command
• B. De-layering
• C. Empowerment
• D. Democratic

Answer: (B)

Removing one or more layers from the organizational structure is called de-layering. It flattens the hierarchy, cutting the number of levels between top management and front-line staff. This speeds up decision-making, improves communication, and can reduce overhead costs because there are fewer managers to pay. It’s the best fit because the term directly describes the act of removing layers, rather than describing authority flow (chain of command), giving employees more autonomy (empowerment), or a particular decision-making style (democratic). However, consider that fewer layers can increase the span of control for managers, potentially overload leaders and reduce opportunities for promotion, so balance and clear communication are important when applying de-layering.