In defense of middle management

The National Performance Review's (NPR) decision to cut 252,000 employees, of whom 140,000 are middle managers, from the federal workforce is considered to be based on instinct rather than logic. The NPR, like recent private sector downsizing efforts, focuses on eliminating middle management; that is, reducing vertical layers of organizations. The intent it to improve efficiency by reducing the numbers of people between the decision-maker at the top and the worker at the bottom. This assumes that those in the middle neither decide nor act and thus can be eliminated. However, it must be determined if organizational relationships are that simple. Organizations exist to do work. The work of organizations can be divided into 4 functions: conceiving, connecting, conducting, and confirming. Organizational structure should enhance those activities, or it does not add value. These functions are discussed and conclusions given.