[kristianc]

It's not a knowledge problem it's a process problem. You can get rid of most middle managers but only once you have the conditions in the business where people can be both autonomous and aligned to the business goals.

Most middle managers end up achieving neither, but a layer of management is the default solution that companies most end up with.

[ktRolster]

That is an interesting thought. I would suggest that one of the goals of the company should be to teach people to be autonomous and aligned to the business goals.