What is a potential advantage of decentralization?

Decentralization refers to the distribution of decision-making authority and responsibility away from a central authority. One of the significant advantages of this approach is that it often leads to more accountability at lower levels of the organization. When authority is delegated to lower-level managers or teams, they are empowered to make decisions relevant to their specific areas of responsibility. This empowerment increases their sense of ownership and accountability for the outcomes of their decisions.

In a decentralized structure, employees are more likely to take initiative and assume responsibility for the performance of their departments or teams, as they are directly involved in the decision-making process. This can enhance motivation and lead to better performance, accountability, and responsiveness to local conditions and customer needs, which are critical for operational success. Giving lower-level employees the authority to make decisions can also foster a more innovative and agile organizational culture, as individuals at all levels feel empowered to contribute to the organization's goals.

While the other options present aspects that could be true in a centralized system or focus on other managerial concerns, they do not highlight the specific advantage of decentralization in terms of accountability.