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The creation of value for shareholders, the central theme of contemporary financial theory, is generally regarded as the ultimate goal for management. The uncertain outlook for the remainder of this decade indicates that a management that does not concern itself with the creation of value for shareholders may be jeopardizing its own existence. The recent and continuing popularity of takeover activity, proxy fights, and existence of stock options suggests it is important for management to be cognizant of shareholders' desire for wealth.

EVERY reader who ever served in the forces of the Crown will know that charge those footsloggers were convinced was the Sergeant's delight: Dumb Insolence. This was brought against a man who failed to reply when spoken to. (We must admit that if you did answer, he might find another charge or at least bellow at you “SHUT UP!”.)

The article presents the “cost‐volume profit analysis (CVP)” for the hotel industry.

Preface The functions of business divide into several areas and the general focus of this book is on one of the most important although least understood of these—DISTRIBUTION. The particular focus is on reviewing current practice in distribution costing and on attempting to push the frontiers back a little by suggesting some new approaches to overcome previously defined shortcomings.

The tightening competition and performance pressure in companies often leave no time or space for the assessment of business impacts of different investments and projects. In addition, in many cases the assessment may be challenging and there is no experience available to undertake it. Despite that companies often commit to different projects and investments without careful planning and vision of the costs it may cause. The purpose of this paper is to create a decision support system in order to facilitate and increase the assessment of business impacts of different investments concerning to machine-to-machine (M2M) systems.

The created decision support system is composed of cost-benefit analysis including several investment decision methods. In order to deepen the understanding on it, the system was applied to two cases from the M2M business.

During the study it was found that different financial metrics might give contradictory results when deciding whether to undertake an investment. In addition, a significant finding was how much some variables may have significance to the eligibility of an investment than others. The study also gave understanding how long payback time can be and how risky the investments might be in different M2M applications.

The study describes the created decision support system and it is applied to two different M2M applications. The system provides a comprehensive combination of different financial metrics, which will help any manager make decisions whether an investment is eligible or not.

Managerial auditors (MAs) are frequently relying on mistaken mixed costs (MC) forecasting assumptions. Two such assumptions are that MC are linear within the relevant range and variable costs vary proportionately with activity levels. Departure from these assumptions can lead to understating expenses, overstating profits, and even to fraud, litigation, and mounting professional liability risk. Develops a forecasting model of mixed cost error estimates, or error difference (ED). MAs can reduce the risk of litigation and professional liability by including such an ED in the internal control structure of a company. Uses Sensormatic Corporation and the electronics security industry as sample case because of the recent prominence of litigation and professional auditor liability verdicts. Focuses on the electronics security industry, but some of the findings may apply to other industries.

Etymologically, the word “loss” means to be deprived, temporarily or permanently, of use of faculty or an advantage. Therefore, when businesses and entrepreneurs suffer large amount of losses, they can be attributed to a non-effective and non-efficient way of handling assets. Consequently, high levels of bad management can be the cause for food losses (FL) across the agri-food supply chain, food waste (FW) depends on consumers' behavior in organizing food basket. Food loss and food waste (FWL) negatively affect environment and global economy. The purpose of this paper is to propose a holistic 4Es (Ethical_Equity_Ecological_Economic) approach aimed at better managing and treating FLW along the agri-food chain from upstream to downstream stages by addressing entrepreneurs and consumers' approach.

The work focuses on the definition and designing of three possible tools: (1) the implementation of a FL_break-even point model; (2) the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) procedures including a scheme for FL critical points and (3) a consumer's tax FW declaration model. Beginning with these tools, the work tries to define a holistic model by involving all the actors performing in a strictly inter- linked system.

Approaching the FLW issue in a holistic way can ensure the involvement of engaged and productive people at work, lead to strategies and policies aimed at enriching consumers' awareness and entrepreneurs' management approach, and can address the handling of FLW toward Ethical, Equity, Ecological_and Economic (that means effective and efficient) paths.

Monitoring and decreasing FLW by implementing the proposed tools from upstream to downstream of the food supply chain can certainly improve the reliability of firm production and investment decisions, and at the same time, behavior of people who feel to be part of an interrelated system. This can help to lighten FLW negative impacts on consumers' income and on pollution as well as indirectly on poverty.

This paper wants to make an innovative attempt to approach the FLW issue in a global and holistic way, while focusing on behavior and awareness of firms/entrepreneurs and consumers/citizens. In addition, the tools and approach defined pave the way for subsequent empirical works to follow.

PROJECTS launched early in National Productivity Year are still producing useful results. One of the most commendable of these was the circulation of a questionnaire which reached manufacturing firms in Monmouthshire. It was the idea of No. 3 sub‐committee of the country's Productivity Study Group.

Contends that the management of information services should consider the pricing of information products as a challenge which demands an understanding of economic principles. Illustrates the range of ideas and tools economists offer for the practical development of a price strategy for information products. Uses three scenarios to demonstrate the formulation of different pricing strategies for different information products. The information products used as examples in these scenarios are a CD‐ROM database, a training programme and a report on the involvement of mechanical engineers with the Reconstruction and Development Programme in South Africa.

A self‐help guide to achieving success in business. Directed more towards the self‐employed, it is relevant to other managers in organizations. Divided into clear sections on creativity and dealing with change; importance of clear goal setting; developing winning business and marketing strategies; negotiating skills; leadership; financial skills; and time management.