Its breakthrough product was the first commercial version of sanitary napkins. In the interwar period, and through the acquisition of Southalls in 1958, the increasingly professional management at Smith and Nephew, is contrasted to the persistence of family control at Southalls. The author attempts much more, however, than a simple corporate chronology. Critical decisions are identified and evaluated. Management techniques are compared and contrasted with prevalent practice and with best contemporary practice in Britain and globally.
Some bits provide brilliant insight.
With simple but plausible back of the envelope calculations, Foreman-Peck demonstrates a huge social saving from a not very glamorous innovation that utilized few resources. A Smith and Nephew innovation, the application of an elasticized bandage lined with plaster, enabled patients to be on their feet and back at work in two weeks. This counter-example may be suggestive of new directions for research. Other forays from the central theme do not come off as well. Two chapters are devoted to the evolution of health care and health care markets from 1850.