Organizational design principle check: the number of management layers in a firm is primarily determined by which factor?

Introduction / Context:
Organizational structure determines how many hierarchical layers exist between front-line staff and top management. Classic management theory ties the depth of hierarchy to how many direct reports a manager can effectively supervise—the span of control. This question asks for the principal determinant.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Span of control = number of subordinates reporting directly to a manager.
• Greater span typically reduces the number of layers; smaller span increases layers.
• Other principles (unity of command, scalar chain) are related but not primary determinants of layer count.

Concept / Approach:
If each manager can effectively manage many people (wide span), the organization can be relatively flat. If the span is narrow, more managerial layers are needed to supervise the same workforce. Therefore, span of control is the fundamental lever for the number of layers.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Texts in management theory and organizational design consistently describe the inverse relationship between span of control and number of layers.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing correlation (more managers often mean more layers) with causation; span of control is the causal design choice.

Final Answer:
the span of control