Carnegie
Can I build a new department in a higher row with nothing beneath it, and where may it go?
Yes. A new department can go on any free space of your company board, with no need for support beneath it or a connection to the starting tiles. Per the rulebook, a free space costs 2 goods cubes (1 if an employee already stands there). A higher placement just means longer movement later and it scores 3 VP instead of 2 at game end.