As many organizations have cut costs and streamlined their organizational design to respond better to customer needs, they have pushed decision-making authority to

the lowest levels in the organization.

Explanation:

Organizations have flattened, that means that they have reduced the number of levels and instead of operating like a tall pyramid, they are operating like very flat pyramids with a lot more subordinates per supervisor and/or manager. As a result of this, employees at the operating levels are now able to make certain decisions regarding customers' needs that before needed to be approved by a manager or supervisor.

For example, under certain conditions, retail clerks can offer discounts to customers without asking permission from their supervisor.  

answersituation analysis;

answerpurchase-occasion segmentation;