  A lattice theory of scalar bosons in the fundamental representation of the
gauge group $SU(N_c)$ and of the global symmetry group $SU(N_f)$ is shown to
induce a standard gauge theory only at large $N_f$. The system is in a
deconfined phase at strong scalar self-coupling and any finite $N_f$. The
requirement of convergence of the effective gauge action imposes a lower limit
on the scalar mass.
