notes-institutionalDesign-chainOfCommand

Perhaps one reason for having a 'chain of command' with a prohibition against going above your direct superior is to prevent discord. If you can complain above your direct superior, then you can potentially get them in trouble. This causes politicing, which may allow individuals adept at politicing to build a power base within the institution, which could then resist top-down commands.

(i'm not saying i'm in favor of this; one disadvantage is that it would probably be harder for upper management to get information about the performance of their subordinates, or about things they are wrong about)