Sweeping changes like decentralization affect huge numbers of workers and demand responsible decision-making by management. Too many careers are at stake. The surprising news in Decentralization is that there is finally an alternative.
Decentralization can fix some nagging corporate problems.
It makes staff more responsive and willing to tailor their approaches to a variety of local strategies. It also gives business units full control over priorities, allowing them to go their own way. But in the process, synergies are lost, costs rise significantly, and quality falls. The people hardest hit are the professionals working in the service function. Even worse, it chases the best people out.