内容发布更新时间 : 2024/6/27 2:58:15星期一 下面是文章的全部内容请认真阅读。

文献出处: RICHARD C. Enterprise Cost Control Strategies: The Case of High-tech Enterprise [J]. The Journal of International Finance, 2014, 6(12): 13-29. （本译文归百度文库所有，完整译文请到百度文库） 原文

Enterprise Cost Control Strategies: The Case of High-tech Enterprise

RICHARD C

Abstract

Since 1980s, trends like globalization, technological innovation, and information technology have changed the way companies are managed. On the one hand, the development of information technology brings companies more advanced management tools to reduce costs and increase productivity; on the other hand, globalization of markets is increasing the intensity of competition among industries. In order to survive in the competitive environment, companies must have long-term strategic plan, implement effective management and improve competitiveness. Accounting information, especially cost accounting information plays an important role in developing and implementing the company’s strategy. In practice, many companies find that the competitive advantages depend on three factors: cost, quality, product development and on time deliveries. Cost management has a broad focus. It is not just the cost accounting reporting and the accounting system. It is also the approaches and activities of a company in short--run and long--run planning that increase value for customers and lower costs of products and services. Strategic cost management focuses on higher productivity, shorter production runs, larger product quantity and higher product quality.

Key Words: Cost management, Cost control, Strategic domain, Strategic method, Cost information system.

1 Introduction

In practice, many companies find that the competitive advantages depend on three factors: cost, quality, product development and on time deliveries. Cost

management has a broad focus. It is not just the cost accounting reporting and the accounting system. It is also the approaches and activities of a company in short--run and long--run planning that increase value for customers and lower costs of products and services. Strategic ost management focuses on higher productivity, shorter production runs, larger product quantity and higher product quality. There are distinct differences both on concept and practice between strategic cost management and conventional cost management in high-tech companies. The purpose of this thesis is to do research on the cost management in high-tech companies and find more effective cost control methods that enable high-tech companies to reduce operating risk, improve competitiveness and succeed in competitive business world. 2. Research methods and thoughts

In this thesis, the author uses both theoretical research method and case study method. The author mainly uses typical cases when she employs case study method. For example, by analyzing the 3-year product life cycle income statements and cost reports of A information technology company, the author indicates that cost control in high-tech companies is not limited to production process but also includes product life cycle cost control. Besides, through MeiDi Air Conditioner zero inventory control case, the author concludes that high-tech companies can use Just-in-time production system to reduce procurement costs, increase inventory turnover rate and reduce inventory level so as to control total inventory costs. In addition, the author chooses W company as an example to prove that Activity-based Costing is a useful method for high-tech companies to control costs.

Based on the characteristics of high-tech companies, the author concludes that conventional cost management is no longer suitable for the development of high-tech companies. Companies can use strategic cost management to improve competitiveness. In this thesis, the author first clarifies high-tech company’s cost control target. Next the author identifies the key

issues of cost control and points out some practical cost control methods that some high-tech companies currently use. Finally, the uthor believes it is necessary to establish a complete cost control information system to fulfill the cost control goals. 3. Structure of the thesis

There are four chapters and about 57,000 words in this thesis. Cost management of high-tech companies. This chapter focuses on characteristics of high-tech company’s cost management and strategic cost management. In this chapter, the author defines the high-tech company, analyzes the characteristics of high-tech company, points out the limitation of conventional cost management, and proves that implementing strategic cost management can help high-tech company to identify competitive and obtain advantages .

Identification of key issues in strategic cost control. The author first defines the term of cost control as a broad cost management concept, includes all the efforts to reduce costs. Next, the author analyzes and sets the strategic cost control goal. Then, the author identifies key issues of strategic cost control. These key issues include cost driver analysis, total product life cycle costs control, human capital control and product quality cost control.

Application of strategic cost control method in high-tech companies. Cost management is not practiced in isolation. It is an integral part of general management strategies and their implementation. For example, Just-in-time production system is a comprehensive production and inventory management system. Companies can effectively control costs by combining Just-in-time production system and value chain analysis. Meanwhile, in order to control total costs of the product life cycle, company should emphasize the up-stream cost control. And target costing is very useful to control total costs of the product life cycle. Next, by analyzing high-tech company’s production environment and characteristics, the author suggests high-tech company also needs to control operation costs. At last, the author uses both