Subject category:
Finance, Accounting and Control
Published by:
Harvard Business Publishing
Version: 2 October 1997
Length: 7 pages
Data source: Field research
Abstract
Explores how a cost system can help support a firm's decision to change strategies. In the process, the students are introduced to a simple activity-based cost system. Siemens Electric Motor Works found itself facing an increasingly competitive environment and so made a decision to move from mass production of specialty motors to the production of small lots of custom motors. In doing so, they found their old cost system led them to poor decision making. By switching to a simple activity-based system, more accurate product costs were computed, facilitating better divisional performance.
Location:
Industries:
Size:
DEM400 million
Other setting(s):
1988
About
Abstract
Explores how a cost system can help support a firm's decision to change strategies. In the process, the students are introduced to a simple activity-based cost system. Siemens Electric Motor Works found itself facing an increasingly competitive environment and so made a decision to move from mass production of specialty motors to the production of small lots of custom motors. In doing so, they found their old cost system led them to poor decision making. By switching to a simple activity-based system, more accurate product costs were computed, facilitating better divisional performance.
Settings
Location:
Industries:
Size:
DEM400 million
Other setting(s):
1988