1911 had been response the falling profits and
overextended finances the Edison enterprise. level middle management had been
created and specialists hired, but their power remained
circumscribed the great informal influence Edison and the
shifting sands many the committees which, essence, left
the decision making the hands few senior executives
around Edison. provided
economical management broad range operations and
brought central control the many parts Edison's
industrial empire. Proximity the "old man" was still the key to
power the organization, the meteoric rise Hutchison
had shown. The creation TAE
Inc. The Edison interests found
themselves faced with selling new products markets that were
becoming increasingly competitive.8
THE DIVISIONAL POLICY
The strategies diversification and vertical
integration the nineteenth century had left Edison with a
complex and confused industrial empire. (Illus 10-2, #14425)
The shift marketing string new products made new
demands the administration. They were still fighting on
all fronts, and against competition that was well-entrenched.
Victor still dominated the phonograph business, the Dictaphone
Company subsidiary the Columbia Company) held sway the
