Final answer:
The correct principle is A. Minimum chain of command, which dictates that an organization should have the fewest levels of authority needed to operate efficiently and effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle that states top managers should always construct a hierarchy with the fewest levels of authority necessary to efficiently and effectively use organizational resources is known as A. Minimum chain of command. It aims to create an optimal balance between authority levels to maintain efficiency in the organization. This mirrors the strategy an employee at Walmart experiences, where the shift manager reports to the store manager, then to the regional manager, and eventually up to the CEO, who must answer to the board members and then to the stockholders. The goal is to minimize complexity and potential bureaucracy, which can hinder productivity and efficiency, especially in the information age where organizational flexibility can be crucial.