Credit : Association for Retired Intelligence Operatives of Malaysia (on a need to know basis and declassified analysis)
A good management hierarchical structure will always put PEOPLE FIRST. A good boss will always address himself in an official letter as "WE" but the final signatory is him. When there are major legal problems happening in the top management , it is always the good boss that will surrender first!
It is a well known fact that the 2nd tiers are sometimes the 'UNLUCKY' ones, they worked so hard for the top management and with a minimum wage pay, becoming punching bags from 'top and bottom' - they are the ones who are absorbing all the pressures and they are the ones who usually suffer!
But in most cases today - when there are major legal problems, the blame will go right to the bottom, because the 1st hierarchical 'lip-service' structure' chooses the 2nd pyramid (the organized crime structure) making all the people below be blamed because of the top management problems.
The 2nd pyramid - a typical organized crime structure or a cult ring, will always put the bosses or cult leaders on the top especially the 3rd and the last tiers - they will always fight to defend the top bosses even hide the identities of their leaders - there is also ample opportunity for the 2nd tier to be in the first tier when the boss retires or dies.
When there is a problem from the top tier, it is always the last tier will take all the blames. (the same goes to the first hierarchical structure that choose the 2nd pyramid as their MO)
It is a well-known fact that the 2nd tiers are the LUCKY ones, they are simply thinkers, brainchilds, 1st class hackers etc. Less work but lots of play. They are very well-paid and the bottom tiers and the crime lords will bow to them as if they are deities. They will dictate terms and conditions, living lavishly with posh cars and bungalows etc.
If something goes wrong on the top, they are the ones either :
a) Betray their bosses and cooperate with the authorities under 'special protection program' or
b) Sneak out quietly, fly overseas and let the boss suffer in jail.
If the authorities wish to crack the crime ring, they must first take away the first and 2nd tiers, not the 3rd and the 4th. If this is done, then the whole system will break down. If the authorities merely attack the 3rd and the 4th tiers, there will be new tiers constructed as the real brains are in the 2nd and 1st tiers.
If the good bosses wish to make their organizations grow further, the personnel/workers/support staff must first be looked at.
They must also give way to the 3rd tier to make it to the 2nd tier. Most important - via a job-rotation or some other equivalent program, the top management can ensure security to the the 2nd tier going to the top - not leaving them behind or put them in a freezer.
The 2nd tier must be 'well-guarded' and given special attention - otherwise they might join the organized crime structure and be more lavish than their previous and current bosses.
(Something to ponder - from me Nik Zafri).