What communication issue can arise from a tall organizational structure?

• A. Information flows instantly across all levels.
• B. Information may become distorted or delayed, increasing operational risks.
• C. Communication remains unaffected by hierarchy.
• D. There is no impact on information reliability.

Answer: (B)

Tall organizational structures create multiple layers of management, so messages must pass through several handoffs. Each handoff can filter, reinterpret, or emphasize different details, which makes distortion more likely. The more levels the information travels, the longer it takes to reach the right people and come back with feedback, leading to delays in decision making and action. This combination of slower flow and potential miscommunication increases operational risks because decisions may be based on outdated or inaccurate information, resources can be allocated inefficiently, and coordination across departments can break down.

You can see why the other ideas don’t fit: information doesn’t realistically flow instantly across all levels in a tall structure, and hierarchy tends to affect how messages are transmitted. Saying there’s no impact on information reliability ignores the real effects of multiple transfers and approvals on accuracy and timeliness.