ABSTRACT
The variations in efficiency in American industry are mainly to be found outside those mass production units where management approaches more nearly an exact and applied science than anywhere else in the world. American manufacturers have very little advantage over those of other countries, as American machine-tool makers are not only ready but willing—no, more, even anxious—to supply anyone else in the world with the same machine tools. American industry has given some wonderful examples of leadership and method to the whole world. American Big Businesses know the art of management and, while they vary as to system used, within narrow limits, they are very close together in results achieved. There are some things which are cheapest made in big volume, with little or no variety, in large factories. There are other things which are made more cheaply in smaller factories and in which variety has a less important effect on cost.
