Which process pushes decision-making authority down the organizational hierarchy?

• A. Decentralization
• B. Centralization
• C. Delegation of Authority
• D. Empowerment

Answer: (A)

Moving decision-making authority to lower levels is decentralization. It means giving managers and teams closer to the action the power to decide on operations, resources, and responses without waiting for top management. This setup contrasts with centralization, where most decisions stay with senior leaders at the top, slowing response times and reducing local adaptability. Delegation of Authority is about granting specific tasks to subordinates while the overall responsibility remains with the person delegating, so it’s not the broad shift of authority through the organization. Empowerment focuses on increasing employees’ motivation and autonomy within the established structure, but it doesn’t by itself redefine who has formal decision rights across the hierarchy. A decentralized approach enables faster, locally tailored decisions by those closest to the work.