Decentralized management can help large companies foster a spirit of entrepreneurship and personal initiative among the managers of far-flung plants. We’ve seen this phenomenon at work during recent visits to U.S. plants operated by national companies. A similar strategy is contributing to the growth of Alsco Inc.’s international operation in Italy, which recently unveiled an expanded plant in Merlino, about a half-hour’s drive from Milan in northern Italy. 
 
 “Our strategy has been when we operate in Italy, Italians run our company,” said Jim Divers, director of sales and marketing at Alsco’s headquarters in Salt Lake City. “We ...