"I think it's reflective of overall technology demands," he said, "that virtually every company, no matter who they are, is tightening their belts."

That has made the company tighten its security measures even more.

The company purged everyone tied to the wrongdoing and severely tightened its ethics policies, they said.

In response, the company tightened quality control and moved into research and development.

On the industrial side of the economy we're seeing softness, and so companies are tightening their belts a little.

The companies tightened the pricing noose after farmers' strikes for higher prices in the late 1980's.

The experience was cathartic, as the remaining companies tightened their lending standards and raised prices nearly 50 percent.

The move was greeted by one analyst as a possible sign that the company, best known for making acquisitions, was tightening its focus.

"In many cases today, companies that had previously turned a blind eye to diversion are now tightening the screws a bit."

The company has since tightened its lending policies, but sales have suffered.