Forskelle i industristrukturen synes imidlertid ikke at udgøre nogen særlig vigtig årsag til internationale forskelle i lønomkostningerne; tværtimod kan lønforskelle mellem firmaer inden for samme industri ofte være meget større end forskelle mellem industrier.
Pay is also relatively lower in small firms, although the size of the small firm sector does not appear significant in determining overall regional pay rates; it is the degree of similarity in firm sizes within a region - an indication of the extent of competition between firms - which appears important in keeping pay rates and labour costs at lower levels.