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1 – 10 of over 102000The current article aims to give an overview of how the new cost accounting models, such as activity‐based costing (ABC) and time‐driven activity‐based costing (TDABC) are…
Abstract
Purpose
The current article aims to give an overview of how the new cost accounting models, such as activity‐based costing (ABC) and time‐driven activity‐based costing (TDABC) are researched and adapted by university libraries, focusing on the methods used for measuring work time allocation as well as on the strengths and weaknesses of both models.
Design/methodology/approach
The data used in this paper are based on reviewing and summarizing of relevant studies which were conducted in libraries inspired by the ideas of modern theoretical considerations and treatments relating to cost accounting and costing, originally developed for industry and private sector organizations.
Findings
The implementation of cost accounting systems in libraries has historically been treated as a technical innovation rather than an organizational or management innovation. The most important consideration is that librarians are not machines, which can be set at a given speed and expected to produce a uniform product. It turns out that the results of such research are largely affected by what methods are used to identify the time spent on activities and how well the management of libraries or researchers were able to explain to the staff the necessity for such research.
Originality/value
Besides the articles published so far dealing with the implementation of ABC and TDABC in libraries, no research or surveys focus on these issues from the perspective of employees.
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This study extends the theoretical analyses of Duration-Based Costing (DBC), an alternative cost measurement system to Activity-Based Costing (ABC). DBC is simpler than ABC and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study extends the theoretical analyses of Duration-Based Costing (DBC), an alternative cost measurement system to Activity-Based Costing (ABC). DBC is simpler than ABC and uses the production cycle time to assign costs. This simplicity should allow DBC to be a better costing method for multiproduct firms that exhibit nonconstant returns to scale.
Approach
Data simulations for 1,000 cases and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) are used to analyze the production functions inside DBC and ABC models to determine their relative technical efficiency.
Findings
The results show that, for a given set of simulations, DBC shows more nonconstant returns to scale than does ABC. This corroborates prior research and suggests that a more complex costing system, such as ABC, may not always match the production technology of a multiproduct firm. Thus, DBC may have a higher level of accuracy than does ABC for firms that exhibit nonconstant returns to scale.
Originality
Since DBC has only recently been theoretically developed, this study is the first to analyze the relative technical efficiency of DBC compared to ABC.
Research Limitations/Implications
This study should bring some further awareness of the implications of alternative costing methods. The limitation of DBC is that it does not capture other factors not driven by the production cycle time that could be necessary for management decision making. However, DBC is better for multiproduct firms than a more complicated costing system and does help decision makers determine whether the production process is operating efficiently. It is imperative that firms choose which costing methods fit the firm’s needs and economic structure.
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Élodie Allain and Michel Gervais
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the particularities of the time consumption of transactions performed in an insurance firm and the prospective impact on costing.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the particularities of the time consumption of transactions performed in an insurance firm and the prospective impact on costing.
Design/methodology/approac
This paper uses the results of an archival study conducted on data collected in an insurance firm.
Findings
The results suggest that the reasons underlying the heterogeneity of transactions’ time consumption are multiple and rule out a systematic and unique explanation. They lend support to the importance of the “human effect” in explaining the time consumption of service transactions and support the need for more research into the evolution of marketing thought that subordinates the concept of transaction to the concept of relationship. In addition, our results not only suggest that the drivers of time consumption and their importance are contingent on the type of service activity performed within the same firm, but also that inside a generic service activity, deviations in time consumption remain due to the provision of specific services.
Originality/value
Services have their own characteristics which make it difficult to trace their resource consumption. Yet limited research has focused on examining the impact of services’ characteristics on predicting costs. Our findings contribute to our understanding of such impact and cast doubt on the possibility of obtaining accurate costs for very detailed transactions for an acceptable cost-benefit trade-off.
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Olga Vedernikova, Villie Morocho, Erik Sigcha, Lorena Segarra-Tapia and Lorena Siguenza-Guzman
This paper aims to show the potential of time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) to value and integrate corporate social responsibility (CSR) and quality management (QM…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to show the potential of time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) to value and integrate corporate social responsibility (CSR) and quality management (QM) processes in the assembly industry. It provides valuable insights about operational processes, sub-process and activities within assembly companies by using TDABC’s time equations with more accurate costs for the decision-making process.
Design/methodology/approach
The current paper proposes a new methodology framework with four QM and CSR implementation levels and several costing scenarios through the TDABC system. The valuation was built based on the activities of essential referents in each subject, such as ISO, Ethos Institute and electrostatic discharge control programs. To this end, a case study in the assembly industry processes was conducted with data from a TV assembler.
Findings
The results highlight that TDABC can be extended to perform a cost analysis with QM and CSR processes. The environmental management and occupational safety and health administration processes were considered part of CSR to do so. Consequently, managers can simulate the cost and impact of incorporating CSR and QM in assembly processes and thus decide the implementation degree and its corresponding planning according to the needs and available resources. In this particular case, the company increases a maximum of 12% of its resources to be socially responsible and manage its products’ quality.
Originality/value
Although theoretical models on CSR have been developed, the current study provides a practical framework based on TDABC scenarios that enterprises can easily implement to support and evaluate QM and CSR processes.
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Ilhan Dalci, Veyis Tanis and Levent Kosan
The purpose of this paper is to show the implementation of customer profitability analysis (CPA) using time‐driven activity‐based costing (TDABC), in a Turkish hotel.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show the implementation of customer profitability analysis (CPA) using time‐driven activity‐based costing (TDABC), in a Turkish hotel.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study was conducted in a four‐star hotel with 100‐room capacity in the Çukurova region of Turkey. Interviews, direct observations, and documentation collection were used to collect the data.
Findings
The results showed that some of the customer segments which were found unprofitable under the conventional ABC method were determined profitable using TDABC. The case study also revealed the cost of idle resources devoted for front office, housekeeping, food preparation, and marketing activities.
Research limitations/implications
Only a single hotel operating in Turkey is examined in this paper. Further research should focus on implementing CPA using TDABC in other hotels in Turkey and abroad.
Practical implications
Based on the results of the study, the hotel management is better able to understand profitability of different customer segments and implement appropriate strategies. Moreover, the time equations of TDABC are considered to provide hotel management with an opportunity to better balance the capacities supplied in departments.
Originality/value
There is limited research relating to profitability analysis in service companies in general and in the hotel industry in particular. Therefore, this paper is unique in the sense that it analyzes the use of TDABC systems for CPA within a real case hotel.
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Ashwin Bhimrao Ganorkar, Ramesh R. Lakhe and Kamalkishor N. Agrawal
The purpose of this paper is to present a procedure to implement time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) using Maynard Operation Sequence Technique (MOST). In this paper three…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a procedure to implement time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) using Maynard Operation Sequence Technique (MOST). In this paper three research questions are addressed: How can MOST be used to frame time equations? How can MOST be used for the improvement of productivity? How can TDABC cost information be used?
Design/methodology/approach
Case study research was performed at a manufacturing industry. Data have been collected for overhead distribution. The overhead cost was distributed on activity. Time equations are framed using MOST. Cost of activity is assigned to the product using time equations.
Findings
The proposed system simplifies the process of implementation of TDABC using MOST. This system not only determines the cost but also identifies the area where cost is consumed. It also identifies opportunity for productivity improvement.
Research limitations/implications
The case study was conducted in a manufacturing industry. The proposed methodology is suitable for manufacturing industry where standard work procedure is adapted.
Practical implications
The study explains the implementation of TDABC using MOST using a case study and results are meticulously discussed from a management point of view for appropriate decision making.
Originality/value
Besides the articles published so far dealing with the implementation of TDABC, no research was found on the implementation of TDABC using MOST.
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Patricia Everaert, Werner Bruggeman, Gerrit Sarens, Steven R. Anderson and Yves Levant
The purpose of this paper is to describe the experiences of a wholesaler with time‐driven activity‐based costing (TDABC). Three research questions are addressed: How are complex…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the experiences of a wholesaler with time‐driven activity‐based costing (TDABC). Three research questions are addressed: How are complex logistics operations modeled by TDABC? Does TDABC provide more accurate cost information than activity‐based costing (ABC)? How is TDABC cost information used?
Design/methodology/approach
Case study research was performed at a Belgian wholesaler. Interviews were conducted. The cost and activity database was analyzed.
Findings
This case study illustrates that there are logistics operations that cannot be modeled using a single cost driver, as is done with ABC. TDABC uses time equations to estimate the time spent on each activity. The results herein show how the time equations can capture the different complexities, by including different terms or interaction terms in the time equations. The database analysis clearly demonstrates that TDABC provided more accurate cost information than ABC at this case company. ABC oversimplified 64 percent of the activities, and misallocated 55 percent of all indirect costs.
Research limitations/implications
This study is one of the first, investigating the experiences with TDABC. The results are derived from analyzing all activities, at a single case company.
Practical implications
The study illustrates the technique of TDABC and provides a real company example of time equations in logistics. The users declared the TDABC model very useful for profitability reporting and profit management. The time drivers provided insight into the causes of excessive distribution and logistics costs.
Originality/value
This paper complements current discussion on cost drivers and subtasks and logistics costing.
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Develops an original 12‐step management of technology protocol and applies it to 51 applications which range from Du Pont’s failure in Nylon to the Single Online Trade Exchange…
Abstract
Develops an original 12‐step management of technology protocol and applies it to 51 applications which range from Du Pont’s failure in Nylon to the Single Online Trade Exchange for Auto Parts procurement by GM, Ford, Daimler‐Chrysler and Renault‐Nissan. Provides many case studies with regards to the adoption of technology and describes seven chief technology officer characteristics. Discusses common errors when companies invest in technology and considers the probabilities of success. Provides 175 questions and answers to reinforce the concepts introduced. States that this substantial journal is aimed primarily at the present and potential chief technology officer to assist their survival and success in national and international markets.
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The purpose of this paper is to focus on the history and new developments of the optimization and analysis of acquisitions costs. More specifically, the acquisition cost and time…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus on the history and new developments of the optimization and analysis of acquisitions costs. More specifically, the acquisition cost and time optimization methods studied concern primarily print format books. Though e-books have begun to be developed more and more, the print format books – both scientific books and textbooks – are still very important for university libraries and continue to pour into acquisition activities.
Design/methodology/approach
The data used in this paper are based on a review of relevant literature to provide an overview of the different concepts of the budget allocation and cost accounting methods suitable for the optimizing cost and time of the acquisition process. Different methods are described via reviewing example studies.
Findings
On the basis of the current study, it can be said that the acquisitions procedure is more labor-intensive than any other library procedure both historically and nowadays. Nonetheless, the routines of acquisitions have been fairly well fixed over the years and constantly have searched for new ways to reduce costs. The most popular methods to control the acquisitions budget have been centralized and cooperative acquisitions, using vendors for acquiring library materials, customer-based acquisitions, and price indexes. New costing methods described, like activity-based costing and time-driven activity-based costing methodologies seem both to be the best tools for understanding acquisitions cost behavior and for refining a cost system for university libraries.
Originality/value
This paper raises a perspective in library acquisitions management that has not been dealt with before. Namely, it explores how the library materials selection moved from intrinsic wisdom of bookish librarians and “just in case” inventory model to “purchase by customer suggestion” model. In addition, how libraries moved from acting on the basis of guesses to examine the cost breakdown of the acquisitions-related activities in a library.
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