A
hierarchical organization is an
organizational structure where every entity in the
organization, except one, is
subordinate to a single other entity. This arrangement is a form of a
hierarchy. In an organization, the hierarchy usually consists of a singular/group of power at the top with subsequent levels of
power beneath them. This is the dominant mode of organization among large organizations; most
corporations,
governments, and
organized religions are hierarchical organizations with different levels of
management, power or
authority. For example, the broad, top-level overview of the general organization of the
Catholic Church consists of the
Pope, then the
Cardinals, then the
Archbishops, and so on.