Abstract Examines the negative impact of costreduction on manpower motivation. Discusses yielding positive economic growth through costreduction, the concept of downsizing, the attitude of the corporate culture, and the relation between compensation and reduced costs.
From the Paper "Concerted efforts are under way throughout a majority of economic sectors in the United States all geared toward yielding positive economic growth through cost reduction...."
Abstract This paper explains that computer-aided instruction (CAI) and computer-based training (CBT) have provided both graduates and undergraduates the drill-and-practice systems, that have replaced teachers in routine coaching duties. The author points out that, despite reservations being made by a number of researchers, nearly every higher education institute in the United States is in favor of distance-learning programs because they can cut costs. The paper states that the Internet will become an inseparable part of all the educational systems in the new millennium.
Table of Contents
Statement of Purpose
Search Strategies
The Approach Utilized
Data Gathering and Utilizing Method
Keywords Used
Introduction
Computer-Aided Instruction and Computer-Based Training
Internet Impact: Distance Learning, CostReduction, and Increased Access
Calendar of Class Sessions
Virtual Office Hours
Chat Rooms
Video and Movie Clips
"Live" Computer Programs
Two-way Interactive Communication
On-demand Communication Protocol
Wide Communication Bandwidth
Intelligent Tutoring Systems
Interactive Learning Environments
Internet Impact: Turning Expensive Stand-Alone Systems into Cheaper Distance-Learning Technologies
Conclusion
From the Paper "The impact of Internet on the traditional learning system has raised doubts in the minds of the several researchers. John and Donald assert, ?Some persons are so addicted to its use to the extent they have actually flunked out of college, lost their marriage partners, become mentally sick, given up their jobs, and decreased their human contacts. Furthermore, one more researcher asserts that having access to the Internet does not assure that students will use the information accessible to them from the internet will be used to gain useful knowledge."
Abstract This paper argues the benefits of a four day work week, which would mean working the traditional 40 hours a week at 10 hours a work day. The paper claims that this would increase productivity, increase employee motivation and result in significant costreduction. The paper uses the example of a county health department.
From the Paper "The current working arrangement at the County Health Department includes a five day work week of eight hours each day. An alternative to this would be to introduce a four day work week of ten hours each day, with every Friday a day off. This four day work week would increase productivity, increase employee motivation and result in significant cost savings for the department."
Tags: five, 40, hours, traditional, friday, motivation, employee, productivity, cost, reduction, forty, county, health, department
A research proposal to analyze Lufthansa Airline's new service concept of extensive costreductions by means of reducing services being provided to the travelers.
1,689 words (approx. 6.8 pages), 0 sources, 2002, $ 54.95
Abstract The purpose of this research is to study employee and customer's reaction to Lufthansa Airline's new service concept, based on its newly adopted costreduction measures in order to remain competitive after the events of September 11 2001. This paper defines a problem statement and study design detailing such topics as the proposed literature review and the population, sample and sampling procedure.
From the Paper "This study is of considerable significance for Lufthansa Airlines as it will help the organization redefine its business strategy in order to improve its corporate image and to compete effectively in existing tight market situations. The study will help the company in identifying the factors that directly affect customer's satisfaction and thus will facilitate in providing better quality service in future. As the current market conditions are not much favorable for the airline industry, especially in the US market, which itself is a major segment, airlines are required to keep an edge over their competitors. Therefore, it is necessary for Lufthansa to identify the reasons for dissatisfaction of customers as well as the crew members and to develop strategies to remove this discrepancy in its service. In this way it will successfully maintain its image, which it has developed over years and will ensure its long term success and profitability."
Abstract This paper explains that mercury preparations and compounds are a vitally important component of U.S. production in a wide range of industries, but its use carries with it some known health and environmental risks. The author points out that the coal, agricultural and healthcare industries, which use mercury compounds, are most likely in favor of the legislation because of a lack of a suitable alternative. The paper recommends that the U.S. Senate support the proposed legislation because it represents a viable approach to moderating the impact of mercury emissions across the board, provides those industries that are not currently able to achieve EPA standards with the opportunity to improve and is cost advantageous.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Background and Overview
Coverage in the National and Local Media
Conclusions and Recommendations
From the Paper "How is this proposal likely to play out in the press? Clearly, this is an emotionally charged issue that is fraught with opportunities for misunderstanding among the public, and these misperceptions about the safety record and importance of mercury in many industrial applications may be overlooked. There is, in fact, valid reason for concern. According to Stadler and Murray, during a 12-month period beginning in 2000, several major developments in mercury-related industries emphasized the need for oversight in order to eliminate mercury pollution and exposure in the United States."
Abstract The paper examines strategies for offsetting increased IT spending
for Riordan Manufacturing. The paper explains that the company has a budget that is very unbalanced and in need of major re-negotiation of software licensing and maintenance. The paper notes that the company must re-evaluate its assumptions regarding employee-related expenses. The paper also relates that Riordan needs to investigate the costreductions possible in licensing using software-as-a-Service (SaaS) as an alternative integration and application platform.
Outline:
Strategies for Offsetting Increased IT Spending
Making the Budget More Realistic
Summary
From the Paper "In redefining the IT cost center consolidated operating budget for Riordan Manufacturing, a 4% increase in spending on selected hardware software, services including access charges yields a net gain in spending of $5,764.16. When taking into account the 4% increase in IT spending and the 2% reduction in the total budget, the annual IT budget is restated from $1,901,300 to $1,863,274. The 4% increase in IT spending has been applied to the baseline figures for hardware, software licenses, contract services, and leased lines, which are critical for managing Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) connections with other manufacturers, suppliers to and buyers from Riordan Manufacturing including its distribution channel partners, many of which rely on EDI to complete bath-oriented transactions."
Abstract The paper discusses Lufthansa's corporate restructuring in the early 1990s that has enabled the company to respond to crises ever since. The paper provides a SWOT analysis of the Lufthansa company and discusses the company's commitment to long-term strategic costreductions, streamlining operations and management and a reliance on alliances. The paper concludes by revealing the company's competitive advantage and growing strength.
Outline:
Introduction and History
SWOT Analysis
External Environment
Conclusion
From the Paper "In 1992, the German state owned, unprofitable airline Lufthansa was facing bankruptcy. Under the leadership of Heinz Ruhnau in the 1980's, the airline has increased its fleet from 120 to 275 planes. The gulf War and the recession meant the company had too much capacity to be effective. When ]iirgen Weber's became CEO in the early 1990's, he faced the challenges including privatization, and cost cutting measures to allow the company to remain competitive in a changing marketplace. Under Weber's leadership, the company responded swiftly, and the subsequent corporate restructuring allowed for a swift response to avert crisis and a commitment to economization that has enabled the company to respond to crisis ever since."
Abstract The paper relates that the vast majority of home healthcare industry consumers consist of the sick and the elderly, with Medicare/Medicaid programs comprising a significant percentage of the payment revenues. The paper looks at a specific competitor, the Heritage Homecare Agency located in Florida and discusses the results of a survey of home healthcare patients. The paper concludes that home healthcare is seen as one of the most promising alternative healthcare programs that might result in an overall costreduction for healthcare services and delivery over the next several years.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Industry Analysis
Overview
Case Study
Home Healthcare Patient Survey
Conclusion
From the Paper "The home healthcare industry in the United States (U.S.) is receiving a great deal of interest recently because of the ever increasing costs of healthcare in general which is leading many healthcare constituents, both industry competitors and consumers, to seek alternatives. The home healthcare industry in the U.S. is valued at approximately $40b annually and has some 20k unique industry competitors that focus primarily on 2 target patient markets: the elderly and the sick (Buckley & Van Giezen, 2004). Furthermore, the industry itself is not dominated by a few large companies as many other segments of the healthcare industry are. In this sense, the home healthcare industry is highly fragmented in nature because the 50 largest companies hold less that 24% of the total market share (Geisler, Krabbendam & Schuring, 2003)."
Abstract This paper discusses the effects of the personnel cost-cutting measures employed by major airlines in the United States and their relationship to aircraft safety. The research focuses on four factors - employee layoffs, increase on employee workload, cutting employee benefits and cutting employee training. The paper presents a survey on aviation pilots at American Airlines (AA).
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Background of the Problem
Statement of the Problem
Limitations
Delimitations
Definition of Terms
Acronyms
II Review of Related Literature Hypothesis
Introduction
Employee Benefits CostReduction and Wages Cutback
Employee Lay Offs
Increase in Employee Workload
Employee Training
Commercial Aircraft Safety
III Research Methodology
Introduction
Research Design
Research Model
Survey Population
Sources of Data
The Data Gathering Instrument
Pilot Study
Instrument Pretest
Distribution Method
Instrument Reliability
Instrument Validity
IV Results
Introduction
Demographics
Pilot's Awareness of Company Decision and Policies
Pilot's Awareness about AA's Cost Cutting Measures
Pilot's Perspective on the Effects of Cost Cutting
Measures of AA to Commercial Aircraft Safety
V Discussion
Introduction
Pilot's Awareness of company Decision and Policies
Pilot's Awareness about AA's Cost Cutting Measures
Pilot's Perspective on the Effects of Cost Cutting
Measures of AA to Commercial Aircraft Safety
Summary
VI Conclusion
VII Recommendations
Appendices
From the Paper "Since, 1998 the Government Accountability Office (2004) (GAO) of the United States had reported that majority of the leading airline industries have a difficulty of acquiring revenue and profit increase because of the growth of Low Cost Airlines (LCA) The proliferation of Low Cost Airlines has caused a strict competition in terms of domestic market share due to the relatively low prices that were offered and the relatively low cost cutting measures of LCA. Hence, it is reported by GAO (2004) that the operation costs of LCA have even increased to $1 Billion or 10% of its total operation costs. In effect of this, the research inferred that such an effect had a significant impact in terms of how passengers in general compare and view LCA to Big Airlines."
This paper is a classical case analysis presenting alternative proposals to achieve costreductions in savings bonds processing at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
Abstract This paper presents a managerial accounting case study. In 1977 all Federal Reserve Banks were being pressured by the Board of Governors to reduce costs by targeting the banks' savings bonds processing activities since cost ratios for the activity at the FRBR were inferior to Federal Reserve System averages. The author uses three methods of analysis, each with three alternatives: Payback Period Analysis, Net Present Value Analysis and Internal Rate of Return Analysis.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Case Background
Methodological Concerns
Results of the Analyses
Payback Period Analysis
Alternatives
Net Present Value Analysis
Alternatives
Internal Rate of Return Analysis
Alternatives Comments and Recommendation
From the Paper "The typical approach to payback period analysis requires that the initial investment be divided by the mean positive annual cash flow or benefit (such as a cost reduction in this present case analysis). In the case of alternative initiative number one, however, the initial investment all occurs in a six-month period. Thus, the annual cost savings attributable to the initiative were converted to semi-annual periods for the payback period analysis of this alternative. Thus, instead of using the formula payback period = initial investment/annual cost savings, the formula payback period = (initial investment/semi-annual cost savings)/2 was applied. The derivations of the costs and benefits used in this analysis are detailed in the NPV analyses. "
Abstract This paper considers the relatively new costing model called activity-based costing, developed in the 1980s and then refined through use by various organizations since. This approach is designed to focus attention on the causes behind indirect costs. The ABC system is directed largely at the issue of allocation, placing an emphasis on activities rather than traditional organizational departments as a way of isolating the causes of costs, or the factors that are most likely to cause or contribute to the accumulation of costs.
From the Paper "Activity Based Costing (ABC) was developed in the 1980s and has been refined through use by various organizations since. This approach is designed to focus attention on the causes behind indirect costs. The ABC system is directed largely at the issue of allocation, placing an emphasis on activities rather than traditional organizational departments as a way of isolating the causes of costs, or the factors that are most likely to cause or contribute to the accumulation of costs (Lewis, 1993, 12). The elements of this system can be applied to the working of a given business to help identify what may be driving costs upward. ABC can also be described as "a costing model that identifies the cost pools, or activity centers, in an organization and assigns costs to products and services (cost drivers) based on the number of events or transactions involved in the process of providing a product or..."
Abstract The paper explains that activity-based costing (ABC) allows accountants to obtain a more precise view of the costs associated with specific products or services. This paper uses a case analysis to explore how ABC can help to achieve greater cost effectiveness in the healthcare industry. The paper concludes that although ABC can play an important role in reducing healthcare costs, little can be done to reduce direct costs associated with a procedure without a sacrifice of patient safety.
Outline:
Introduction
Objective of the paper
Analysis, Findings & Discussion
Suggestions, Recommendations & Conclusions
From the Paper "Activity-Based Costing (ABC) allocates the costs of production to specific products or services. It is more precise than older methods of accounting that involved adding a broad percentage of expenditures to direct and indirect costs. The definitions of direct and indirect costs varied and were often a judgement call on the part of the accountant. ABC allowed accountants to obtain a more precise view of the costs associated with specific products or services."
An overview of the methods of applying the "activity-based costing system" at Dakota Office Supply, in which actual costs associated with each product are established.
Abstract The paper discusses, in a detailed description, the effectiveness of an activity-based costing system or ABC and the ineffectiveness of the current costing system in use at the Dakota Office Supply (DOS) company . The paper then relates the methodology of implementing ABC at DOS and the procedures involved in its application.
Outline:
Overview
Situational analysis
Activity based costing ABC in practice at Dakota
Procedural steps of ABC
From the Paper "Before performing ABC, a baseline or a starting point is needed for business process improvement and a baseline can be expressed in some form of model. This baseline is critical for DOP because in order to establish this baseline metric the analytics just performed must be done for each individual account. If DOP performs this activity on each customer the strategic management benefits would be substantial because all the excess cost-drivers could be eliminated resulting in much wider operating margins and thus profitability without increasing costs or committing resources to gain this efficiency. Therefore, a baseline is a documentation of the organization's policies, practices, methods, measures, costs and their interrelationships at a particular location at a particular point in time (Maiga & Jacobs, 2003). Through base-lining, activity inputs and outputs across functional lines of business can be identified. ABC is the only improvement methodology that provides output or unit costs. Value added activities are those for which the customers are usually willing to pay in some fashion for the product or service. Non-value added are activities that create waste, result in a delay of some sort, and potentially adds costs to the products or services. Resources are assigned to activities so that the activities can be performed in the first place. Some of Pilgrims' resources are measured in man-hours, machine hours as well as machine maintenance and operational overhead. It is through ABC that an organization can begin to see actual dollar costs against individual activities, and find opportunities to streamline or reduce those costs, or even eliminate the entire activity thus removing the cost altogether. This is the process inherent in ABC that reduces overall expenditures of the company. "
Discusses a costing system proposed for a computer hardware manufacturer who is also going to develop computer software to be sold along with the hardware.
Abstract This paper first recommends a costing system and then states how variances from budget would be identified. It further goes to state how the budgets for the cost centers should be set. Then it mentions some possible sources of funds for financing the project and, in conclusion, mentions how the financial ratios of the company will be affected.
Method of costing How variances can be identified
Method of budgeting
Sources of finance
Effect on ratios
Comparison with system in operation
From the Paper "There are many methods of costing that could be applied to this scenario. The current system in place is absorption costing. This is a very traditional approach, in which it is assumed that the total overhead expenses of the company are related in some way to the number of labour hours or machine hours used. In this case, all the overheads are allocated on one basis. If labour hours are used, then it the total overhead amount is divided by the total labour hours expected, and then the amount of overhead is allocated to each product based on the total amount of labour hours it uses."
