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. The Edison interests found
themselves faced with selling new products markets that were
becoming increasingly competitive. provided
economical management broad range operations and
brought central control the many parts Edison's
industrial empire. The creation TAE
Inc. 1911 had been response the falling profits and
overextended finances the Edison enterprise.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.
Victor still dominated the phonograph business, the Dictaphone
Company subsidiary the Columbia Company) held sway the
. Proximity the "old man" was still the key to
power the organization, the meteoric rise Hutchison
had shown. They were still fighting on
all fronts, and against competition that was well-entrenched
