Which of the following is NOT a benefit of pushing decision-making authority down in an organization?

Pushing decision-making authority down in an organization can lead to many benefits that contribute to a more responsive and agile work environment. When employees at various levels are empowered to make decisions, they often have a closer understanding of customer needs, which enhances the ability to serve customers effectively. This localized decision-making also fosters better communication, as information flows more freely among team members and can be tailored to specific situations.

Moreover, decentralization can streamline management layers, as fewer managers might be needed to oversee decisions that are now being made by employees on the ground. This could lead to a more efficient organizational structure where decision-making is quicker and more aligned with the realities of the workplace.

However, the idea of increased bureaucracy contradicts the principles of empowerment and efficient management. When decision-making authority is pushed down, the goal is often to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, not increase them. Increasing bureaucracy typically involves more formal procedures, layers of approval, and red tape, which would actually undermine the effectiveness of giving employees more autonomy. Thus, the presence of increased bureaucracy would not be seen as a benefit of decentralized decision-making.