Right, you are correct. Corporations have adapted and don't make such blatant calculations anymore. With seat belts, or gas tanks, in 70's. There were actual actuaries that did the exact calculations, what would manufacturing cost, what percentage of accidents would result in lawsuits, what are estimated payouts. And they actually did the math to balance cost to produce to lives.
But they got into a lot of trouble that they were doing those calculations.
Now it is more subtle, everyone has budgets to hit, there are deadlines, production quotas. And with Just In Time Manufacturing, and local 'ownership'. Some Blackbelt consultant convinces the local managers to 'optimize'. And of course, they start cutting corners. No real calculation, just constant pressure to cut.
But they got into a lot of trouble that they were doing those calculations.
Now it is more subtle, everyone has budgets to hit, there are deadlines, production quotas. And with Just In Time Manufacturing, and local 'ownership'. Some Blackbelt consultant convinces the local managers to 'optimize'. And of course, they start cutting corners. No real calculation, just constant pressure to cut.