alt Hacker NewsTPS (and Lean, which it played a role in inspiring) is largely about finding what works empirically and ruthlesslessly optimizing around it.
It does (Lean at least) incorporate controlled experimentation, but tightly controlled with a both a laser focus on what the goal is and tight resource constraints. And Lean (at least several writers on Lean) favors taking multiple paths with a a quick and low risk and a longer-payoff, higher-risk, higher reward path for some efforts—one source used the US Navy’s two-path approach to SLBMs with Polaris and Poseidon as a model for this—but that's different than “maybe there is something down this path” basic research, which is outside of the concern a production model like TPS/Lean and often completely outside the model of a product-oriented firm; basic research is something firms consume and incorporate more than generate, because until the basics have been proven out, the rationally perceived chance of any particular avenue paying off is near zero for any firm.
Ruthlessly optimizing isn't the best goal, because people "optimize" all the quality out, and lack of quality leads to lack of sales and increased cost. Ford/GM may have "optimized" their line for efficiency, but the increase in defects caused more losses. Companies that practice Lean tend to forget this and focus only on speed and cost, leading to enshittification. TPS focuses more on quality and its effects on lowering cost and increasing sales.
Toyota is also a good example of what not to do. Their lack of earlier research investment in EVs has led to being severely behind the market, in addition to their lack of focus on quality causing poorer sales (their quality used to be one of the only reasons to buy them). KIA basically stole their playbook by creating loads of good-quality cheap hybrids and EVs. Toyota could've had that market if the invested more ahead of time in research.
And that's what's happening with AI. While there are plenty of players now, it's the ones that aren't looking ahead that will be left behind. Nothing scales forever; when you hit the ceiling, you're trapped in a box of your own making.