Final answer:
It is false to assert that there is always a middle management level between first-line supervisors and top management. Companies are increasingly adopting flatter structures, with less emphasis on traditional hierarchical layers, reflecting a modern approach to business management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that there is always a middle management level between first-line supervisors and top management is false. While the traditional hierarchical structure of organizations typically includes multiple layers of management, the trend in recent years has leaned towards flatter organizational structures. Due to various factors, including the increased outsourcing of jobs and the streamlining of command structures through industry consolidation, the number of supervisory and managerial positions has been reduced. Moreover, modern businesses may opt for more collaborative and less hierarchical models, where even entry-level employees may interact and share feedback directly with directors. This reflects a shift from a one-way directive approach to a more cooperative and collegial relationship between employees and managers.