How does a tall structure affect employee motivation at ABC?

• A. It boosts motivation due to clear career paths.
• B. It has no impact on motivation.
• C. It increases risk-taking.
• D. The rigid hierarchy can demotivate employees, limiting innovation.

Answer: (D)

Understanding how organizational structure affects motivation is key here. A tall hierarchy creates many layers of managers, narrower spans of control, and longer chains of communication. This often leads to slower decision-making and less empowerment for frontline employees. When people feel they have limited autonomy and can rarely influence decisions, their motivation to innovate or go beyond the minimum drops. The rigidity of a tall structure can stifle creativity and make employees feel distant from those who shape the company, which dampens enthusiasm and initiative. That’s why describing the effect as a rigid hierarchy that can demotivate employees and limit innovation best captures the typical impact on motivation in a tall organization.

While there might be occasional perceptions of clear career paths, the overall impact of inertia and limited autonomy tends to reduce motivation rather than boost it. The idea that a tall structure has no impact on motivation is unlikely given the observable effects on empowerment and engagement. And the notion that it increases risk-taking runs counter to the tendency of hierarchical systems to favor control and formal approvals, which usually dampen risk-taking.