The Organisation of the Armstrong Company: the Role of Andrew Noble

Abstract

In a firm’s efficiency, the most critical role is played by management. Here is the seat of decision taking - on products, technology, market development, factor mix and future strategy. By the end of the first decade of the twentieth century, in spite of their later arrival on the armament scene, Vickers were growing much more quickly than Armstrongs. A large part of the blame for the latter’s relative decline has been attributed to deficiencies in top management, and more specifically in Sir Andrew Noble.