English to Russian Social Sciences Marketing

For decades, management consultants and the popular business press have urged large firms to flatten their hierarchies. Flattening (or delayering, as it is also known) typically refers to the elimination of layers in a firm's organizational hierarchy, and the broadening of managers' spans of control. In fact, The Boston Consulting Group applied for a trademark in 2005 for the term delayering to designate its distinctive approach to flattening the corporate pyramid. The rationale for flattening seems sound: to remain competitive in the face of increased competition, for instance, firms must pursue a streamlined, efficient organization that can respond more quickly to customers. While flattening is said to reduce costs, its alleged benefits flow primarily from changes in internal governance: by pushing decisions downward, firms not only enhance customer and market responsiveness, but also improve accountability and morale