> My inner cynic wonders if founders love this fad because it saves the payroll they'd need to spend on experienced managers and absolves them of any responsibility to run the internals of their organisation, freeing them up to focus on overall strategy.

I totally buy this at the macro level. Just like open office concept saves buying a bunch of walls and more office space.

But Zappos? I think they have a history of making the "poor financial" decision to make employees and customers very happy. Seems very out of character to come form them.