...design within its organizational context: findings from contingency-based research and directions for the future Robert H. Chenhall Department of Accounting and Finance, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia Abstract Contingency-based research has a long tradition in the study of management control systems (MCS). Researchers have attempted to explain the effectiveness of MCS by examining designs that best suit the nature of the environment, technology, size, structure, strategy and national culture. In recent years, contingency-based research has maintained its popularity with studies including these variables but redefining them in contemporary terms. This paper provides a critical review of findings from contingency-based studies over the past 20 years, deriving a series of propositions relating MCS to organizational context. The paper examines issues related to the purpose of MCS, the elements of MCS, the meaning and measurement of contextual variables, and issues concerning theory development. A final section considers the possibility that contingency-based ideas could encompass insights from a variety of theories to help understand MCS within its organizational context. # 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction The three purposes of this paper are to provide a review of empirical, contingency-based research as it has developed since the early 1980s, to critically evaluate this work, and consider a variety of theoretical foundations...
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...facilitate transactions. d. Until 1995, e-commerce was almost non-existent. e. all of the above Answer: e Diff: 1 Type: MC Topic: E-commerce Skill: Recall/Applied 2) Use this fact situation to answer the related questions that follow. A and B have decided to go into the business of selling goods, but wish to use the Internet to reach potential customers all over Canada who can both buy from them and pay using the Internet. As prudent businesspersons, A and B will a. register a domain name. b. negotiate an Internet access agreement. c. negotiate a website development agreement. d. negotiate a website-hosting agreement. e. all of the above Answer: e Diff: 2 Type: MC Topic: E-commerce Skill: Applied 3) Use the fact situation in Q2 to answer the related question that follows. The type of business that A and B are setting up is called a. wholesale sales. b. electronic retailing. c. retail sales. d. e-commerce. e. digital retailing. Answer: b Diff: 1 Type: MC Topic: E-commerce Skill: Recall/Applied 4) Use the fact situation in Q2 to answer the related question that follows. The type of payment that the business will most likely use is a. credit cards. b. smart cards. c. cash. d. electronic cash. e. all of the above Answer: e Diff: 2 Type: MC Topic: E-commerce Skill: Recall/Applied 5) Use the fact situation in Q2 to answer the related question that follows...
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...China. Previous studies have shown that its performance of their environmental analysis, and organization in terms of both Internal and external environments with the help of Michal Porter’s “five forces of competitive position.” A model of its internal analysis in regards to the organization’s core resources and competences equally well as the current strategic choices adopted by the company in the Chinese market sector. But in terms of its strategic capabilities, I have identified six general strategic capabilities which includes production, resources, revenue, design, delivery and shareholder value Seeing the company’s business objective in the Chinese market means that the expansion of its business scale and coverage are in a fast pace setting. I will then focus on the strategic preparation and strategic operation as well as the assessment of McDonald’s China’s strategic planning processes while providing the fast food chain with some recommendations in improving the effectiveness of its strategic planning processes (Porter, 1985). McDonald’s assessable...
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...services in the metropolitan area: QD = 500,000 - 50,000P (Demand) QS = -100,000 + 100,000P (Supply) Where Q is quantity measured by the number of items dry cleaned per month and P is average price in dollars. A. At what average price level would demand equal zero? B. At what average price level would supply equal zero? C. Calculate the equilibrium price/output combination. SOLUTION A. From the demand relation, note that demand equals zero when: QD = 500,000 - 50,000P 0 = 500,000 - 50,000P 50,000P = 500,000 P = $10 B. From the supply relation, note that supply equals zero when: QS = -100,000 + 100,000P 0 = -100,000 + 100,000P 100,000P = 100,000 P = $1 C. The equilibrium price/output relation is found by setting QD = QS and solving for P and Q: QD = QS 500,000 -...
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...The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/1176-6093.htm Research in management accounting innovations An overview of its recent development Nur Haiza Muhammad Zawawi Department of Accounting and Finance, University of Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia and School of Accounting, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, and Management accounting innovations 505 Zahirul Hoque School of Accounting, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia Abstract Purpose – The purpose of paper is to present a review of the literature on management accounting innovations (MAIs). Specifically, it explores recent developments in research on MAIs and offers suggestions for future research. The review differs from existing reviews by its specific focus on MAIs and the recent time period covered. In this paper, MAIs refer to the adoption of “newer” or modern forms of management accounting systems such as activity-based costing (ABC), activity-based management, time-driven ABC, target costing, and balanced scorecards. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a review of findings from journal articles published in 22 notable accounting journals. Findings – The review finds that research on MAIs has intensified during the period 2000-2008, with the main focus on exploring the extent to which a host of organizational and environmental factors influence the implementation and use of MAIs in organizations. In addition, research...
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...Competitor Matrix Knowing who is your competition is only part understanding the local market. You should understand how they get customers to go to their establishment? During your investigation of the industry you determined the factors which make companies in that industry successful (www.hoovers.com). How does your competition satisfy these factors for success? By understanding where your competition is doing well and where they are doing not so well can help you determine how your company can compete in your chosen market. The following is an example of a Competition Matrix. |COMPETITOR MATRIX | |Fast Food Restaurants in Decatur and Forsyth, IL | |Service Quality |Food Quality |Efficiency |Price |Location |Cleanliness |Overall | |A&W |3 |3.25 |3 |3.25 |2.25 |2.75 |2.92 | |Arby's |3.5 |3.75 |3 |3 |3.25 |3.25 |3.29 | |Burger King |3 |3.5 |3 |3.25 |3.25 |2.75 |3.13 | |Culvers |4.25 |4 |3 |3.25 |3.5 |4 |3.67 | |Dairy Queen |3.25 |3.75 |4.5 |4.25 |3.25 |4 |3.83 | |Hardees |2.25 |2 |2.5 |3 |3 |2.5 |2.54 | |Kentucky Fried Chicken |3 |3 |3.5 |2.75 |3.5 |2.75 |3.08 | |Krekels |2.75 |3.5 |3.75 |3.75 |4 |2 |3.75 | |Long John Silvers |2.75 |3 |3.5 |3.5 |3.5 |2.25 |3.08 | |McDonald's |3.75 |3.5 |4.25 |4.75 |4 |3.75 |4.00 | |Panera Bread |4.25 |4.5 |4 |2.75 |2...
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...------------------------------------------------- STRATEGIC PRICING PROPOSAL TO COUNTER GENERIC SILDENAFIL We, the Viagra Senior Marketing Managers, are proposing the post-patent expiration Strategic Pricing Plan to the Pfizer Executive Leadership Team for presentation at the next quarterly meeting. Viagra has been very successful since its approval in March 1998 as a first in class erectile dysfunction (ED) medication. We achieved gross revenue of $1.9 billion last year despite competition from the two other branded drugs in our market, Cialis and Levitra. As we look to the future and our patent expiration in 2020, we need to plan to face our generic competition. The goal for the Viagra post-patent expiration Strategic Pricing Plan is to maximize profit as long as possible. This report will provide an overview of our past and current state, and arrive at our proposed pricing strategy plan in which we will achieve the best outcome. ZOLOFT (ANTI-DEPRESSION DRUG) CASE EXAMPLE: PRICE ELASTICITY OF DEMAND In our efforts to predict what will happen to Viagra once our patent expires, we reviewed another Pfizer’s drug, Zoloft, as a case example. Zoloft was the leading antidepressant drug that brought in $3.3 billion in sales before its patent expired on June 30, 2006. It faced branded competition from Effexor XR from Wyeth, Paxil and Welbutrin XL from GlaxoSmithKline, and Cymbalta from Eli Lilly & Co. The demand for Zoloft was inelastic before patent expiration which...
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...Assignment The mission statement addresses the following: What are our economic goals? What is our operating philosophy in terms of quality, company image, and self-concept? What are our core competencies and competitive advantages? What customers do and can we serve? How do we view our responsibilities to stockholders, employees, communities, environment, social issues and competitors? The Role of Top Management and the Importance of Company Policy Introduction to Business Policy Chief Executive – serves as the head and has the knowledge about the nature of the company. Responsibilities of the Chief Executive 1. Elaborate the major policies of the firm. 2. Define the objectives of the firm. 3. Develop strategies and the long-range plan for achieving these objectives. 4. Must develop an organization which most efficiently carries out the company’s strategic plan. 5. Must develop the operating policies which ease the burden of decision-making to carry out the plan. 6. Be involved in controlling the operations of the firm and in problem solving. Definitions 1. Major Policies Major policies (or “company” policies) deal with the firm’s fundamental nature, its identity, and the direction in which it is expected to move. They provide a framework within which the objectives can be established. 2. Objectives The firm’s objectives or goals (these are two terms used interchangeably) specify, usually in quantitative terms (e.g., dollars,...
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...and lower level of resource allocator in this field. The implication of HRD by the means of globalization also has been stated in this paper. The later section of this paper identifies the strategies that are capable of overcoming the stated challenges. Such strategies are engaging to national vocational education and training (VET) system, and developed specific roles that can help the HRD practitioners to develop HRD field. Involvement of HR professional’s association members will also be crucial. The Australian government also participates to develop strategies by introducing the Training Guarantee Administration Act 1990, principally to raise Australia’s international competiveness. Australian organizations also involve by improving generic skills needed by the workers to perform well in the workplaces of the future. 1.0 HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN AUSTRALIA In recent years, the rise of Human Resource Development (HRD) in Australia, as in most other developed nations, has focused on the attempts to better align training and development practices more closely with business strategy as a primary source of competitive advantage for all organisations (Tregaskis, 1997; Tregaskis, Heraty & Morley, 2001). Although recent research evidence suggests that employers are more committed to training than in the past, some...
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...Business Analysis III Pete A. Alvarado MGT 521 August 9, 2011 Dr. Arisa K. Ude Business Analysis III Current economic developments such as unemployment, the raising of the National Debt Ceiling, and seeking immunity from prosecutors in a Mortgage deal are economic trends that Bank of America is facing today. According to Rugaber (2011), the Labor Department reported that unemployment benefits adjusted to 400,000, decreasing 1,000 from the previous four months (para.3-4). While in Washington, D. C., Brown (2011), reported that “after months of partisan gridlock, both houses of the U.S. Congress have approved a bill to raise the federal borrower limit and cut government spending (para.1). On the other hand, Touryalai (2011) confirms that Bank of America is seeking immunity in a Mortgage deal with prosecutors that would make the bank pay a hefty fine which would be used toward writing down certain homeowner’s mortgages (para.2). The trends described above are issues that Bank of America and other financial institutions are currently tackling and adapting to as they develop. The following business analysis will outline on how each development is affecting the organizational and operational philosophy of the bank; possible strategies that the bank can use to adapt will also be described; implementation of tactics to address each trend will be elaborated on; how the human resource management plays in helping the company achieve its business goals, and last the analysis...
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...Week 7 assignments Task 1: Consider the following table of costs for the Winsome Widget Factory, which operates in a perfectly competitive market. The market price faced by this firm is $6.00 per widget. a. Fill in the formula for AFC, AVC, ATC, MC, TR, MR, and Total Profit at the top of the column in the gray section within the table. b. Fill in the missing values for TFC, TVC, AFC, AVC, ATC, MC, TR, MR, and Total Profit in the blue sections of the table. | Winsome Widget Factory | |Output |Total Fixed Cost | |Barnes & Noble books |-4.00 | |Coca-Cola |-1.22 | |Cigarettes |-0.25 | |Beer |-0.23 | |Gasoline |-0.06 | In your project, address the following questions: Using the elasticity estimates in the table above, classify the price elasticity demand as elastic or inelastic. Explain your reasoning. Explain the implications of those classifications on tax revenue collections when the per-unit tax increases as opposed to decreases. Using those classifications, make some assumptions regarding tax incidence. For instance, will buyers...
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...CONTANT INDEX S/L 1 2 CONTANT NAME What is Price Importance of Price PAGE 1 2 4 4 9 9 9 14 16 16 17 22 23 27 30 32 32 34 36 48 49 50 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Objectives of Pricing Pricing Techniques Categories of Pricing Methods New Product Pricing Policies Product Mix Pricing Strategies Product Line Pricing Five geographical strategies Pricing in Practices Two-Part Tariff with Two Consumers Bundling in Practice Pricing science Pricing of Multiple Products Products with Interrelated/Interdependent Demand Pricing Practices in Market Economy 25 Theories To Get You Started Arbitrage pricing theory Cost-of-production theory of value Multiple-product Pricing Multi-product pricing Conclusion 1 Pricing Practices Pricing practices sometimes seem peculiar. When first-class hotel rooms in London, Tokyo, or Paris go for $300 to $500 per night, Holiday Inns offers Weekend WebSaversSM rates at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport from as low as $62.48 per night—more than 50 percent off regular prices. Not to be outdone, Howard Johnson’s says vacations are more fun with family package rates up to 70 percent off regular prices. Meanwhile, Marriott offers advance purchase rates on the Internet for as low as $59 per night at the Courtyard Marriott Village at Lake Buena Vista, Florida. At the Hilton Durham, in North Carolina, weekday rates are $109.95 and $89.95 on the weekend. What is going on here? Rather than a mad scramble to build market...
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...Lecture 1 Ten school´s one word definitions Design: Spider Plan: squirrel Position: position How should I approach (positioning school) Vision: wolf, I have a vision Perception: Owl, Patterns: Monkey, Agenda: Lion, Belief: Peacock, Response: Ostrich, Stage: Chameleon, Timeline of the ten schools Planning and design school came in the 70-80´s. Then Porter came with the positioning school in the 90´s. Why ten schools? Organizations vary and change greatly, so we need more than 1 school. The five p´s of strategy Plan: Forward looking. Can be dangerous if it is strictly planned and something unforeseen happens. Patterns: Backwards looking Positions and perspective. Locating a particular product in a particular market: Strategy of positioning a product. Example: Introduce breakfast at McDonalds to use restaurant in the morning. The new position is consistent with existing perspective. The strategy of absent strategy Deliberately using absent strategy promotes flexibility, experimentation and innovation. Management control. Chapter 1 in the book. Management control is the systematic process by which the organization’s higher-level managers influence the organization’s lower- level managers to implement the organization’s strategies. Decentralization is the single most important reason for organizations to need management control systems. So, Management Control is about decentralized organizations. Need for control Decentralized...
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...FINAL PAPER Economics for Business Case Study: Oligopoly in Indonesian Cement Industry BRIEF CONTENTS CHAPTER I: PREFACE..…………………………………………………………………..….. 2 1.1. Background ...………………………………………………………………………….. 2 1.2 Identification Problem……………………………………………………....................... 3 CHAPTER II: BASIC CONCEPT AND CHARACTERISTIC …………….............................. 4 2.1 Basic Concept of Oligopoly ……………………………………….................................. 4 2.2 Models of Oligopoly Competition ......…………………………….................................. 4 2.2 The Advantages and Disadvantages of Oligopoly Competition ....................................... 5 CHAPTER III: ANALYSIS .......................................................…………….............................. 6 3.1 Oligopoly of Indonesian Cement Industry ….................................................................... 6 3.2 Competition in Indonesian Cement Industry …................................................................ 9 3.3 Pricing Strategy in Oligopoly ......................................................................................... 10 3.4 Government Policy .......................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER IV: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION .………….............................. 13 4.1 Conclusion ….................................................................................................................. 13 4.2 Recommendation ….............
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...Professor Owen R. Phillips University of Wyoming Ross Hall 124 COURSE SYLLABUS FOR INTERMEDIATE MICROECONOMICS 4020 Course Description and Prerequisites Economics is broadly defined as a way of thinking about problems of allocation. This course entails the use of intermediate microeconomic theory in the analysis of problems facing decision-makers, not only in business, but also in government and other nonprofit organizations. Intermediate microeconomic theory can be described as the theory of choice. It has application to all decision problems. Specific theoretic tools are developed and applied to real world settings in order to illustrate optimal decision guidelines. The prerequisites for this course are a beginning economics class in microeconomics and a basic understanding of algebra and geometry. Required Textbook Required: Pindyck, Robert S. and Rubinfeld, Daniel L., Microeconomics, Third Edition, Prentice-Hall, 1995, ISBN 0-02-395900-2. Determining Your Grade During the course there are two “midterm” examinations. At the end of the course there is a comprehensive final examination; in the final exam there is some emphasis on the material following the second examination. All of the exams consist of multiple choice questions. Questions will be of a problem-solving nature much like those assigned in the homework. The homework questions are excellent preparation for the examinations. Answers to many of these questions are worked in the...
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