ABC at Scotty Accents Company Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

ABC at Scotty Accents Company - Case Study Example This has been proven in the case of Scotty Accents where one costing system - absorption costing indicates that the production of Brass was not as profitable as Chrome while the other – activity based costing (ABC) indicates that it is the other way around. Therefore, different costing methods provide different results and can lead to different decisions being taken in terms of pricing and product mix. This problem is known as product-cost cross-subsidization where the over-costing of one product in Scotty Accents case leads to under-costing of the other product (Horngren et al 136). 2.0 IDENTIFICATION OF KEY BACKGROUND INFORMATION The income statement that has been generated at November 2011 indicates that the Chrome model kitchen taps which was just introduced generates a higher net income than the Brass model which the company has been manufacturing for over seven years. However, the decision to concentrate marketing resources on the Chrome model and begin the process of ph asing out the Brass model should not be taken at this time. The reason is that a calculation produced by the controller Jimmy Nader who proposes another costing system (ABC) indicates that the Chrome model is less profitable. While I understand the concern expressed by the president, decisions on what to produce and the quantities to produce should be based on a system that generates reliable information. Not all activities are driven by volume and so it is easier to identify costs based on activities associated with a product. This method identifies activities such as soldering, shipments, quality control, purchase orders, machine power and machine set-ups. The cost objects – Brass and Chrome are then assigned costs based on the activities that relate to their production. Each activity has its own cost allocation base and in this case the cost allocation base for soldering is the number of solder points; for shipments – number of shipments; quality control – nu mber of inspections; purchase orders – number of orders; machine power – machine hours; and machine set-ups – number of set-ups. Although, Nader admits that there are shortcomings with the allocation base for some of the activities that is the best that could be done at this time. ABC is a very objective measure but Mason wants some subjectivity to be introduced in order to suit her desires. However, this is the first time that Chrome has been introduced and the process can be refined to gain efficiency improvements in the production of this model. ABC is a widely recommended approach that has the advantage of identifying causally related cost drivers. In fact, some of the advantages include: ABC places emphasis on individual activities as main cost objects – each activity having a specific purpose (Horngren et al. 140) Higher levels of accuracy can be achieved using ABC since the method involves calculating the cost of each activity and assigning costs b ased on the activity which led to the production of the item (Horngren et al. 140) ABC systems facilitate more favorable pricing and product-mix decisions (Horngren et al 136) Process improvement and product design can be facilitated so that decisions relating to cost control can be made

Fact Sheet Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Fact Sheet - Assignment Example The proposed change to Medicare would replace the current Medicare insurance terms with a fixed rate monetary support that people would use to purchase private care plans or a modified form of Medicare and has the following challenges to affordability of care. The proposal shift the responsibility of care cover to individuals and this eliminates the guaranteed cover and care services that the current Medicare offers, because care would be provided based on individual’s plans (Water, 2014). The proposed change would limit cover to people’s care plans and individuals whose medical needs require very high expenses would not be able to afford care. This is because their private care plans, under proposal, would be limited to the voucher value or an individual’s additional contribution (Water, 2014). The proposal allows the government to limit its responsibility over public utilities. This would be a bad example and could be used in future to stop government’s expenditure on critical services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure (Water, 2014). I therefore urge us to express our opinions against the voucher proposal that is a threat to affordable and accessible care. We can also submit our concerns to our legislators through the following telephone lines, besides peer mobilization through

Surveillance in Private Investigations Research Paper

Surveillance in Private Investigations - Research Paper Example Surveillance is a French word which refers â€Å"to watch over† that is specifically used for the suspect and prisoner by the private investigators. It signifies the monitoring of behaviors, actions and changing information of the people who are the suspects by the investigators. This contains the observations of people at a distance through electronic devices as CCTV or electronic transmitted devices such as the internet and cell phones. Surveillance is an advanced technique which is used by the private investigators which requires training to avoid disruption in the process of investigation. Surveillance investigations are vital for the operations of various agencies of private investigation. Surveillance can be open or hidden and mobile and can involve several technical gadgets such as photography; motion activated sensors and GPS tracking devices. It might also use human interception by keeping a keen eye on the criminal or suspect. The physical surveillance is the common technique used by the investigators to derive important information regarding the suspect. It is the act of following the person in such a manner that the required information is gathered without even making the person aware. Investigators require patience and practice in following such method of surveillance. The process of surveillance is used to keep a social control over the community at large and to reduce the crime rate. It facilitates to maintain the security of the area and monitor threats to avoid or minimize criminal activities.

Psychological abuse in the adolescence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Psychological abuse in the adolescence - Essay Example The feeling of guilt might become prominent in some cases. This might even make the individual become prone to self-injury or self-harm. The condition might become more evident through changes in the victim's body language. For instance, some victims avoid eye contact while talking to someone else. There are many chances that such people might get misunderstood for exhibiting such weird behavior patterns. However, it becomes very important to exercise patience and understand the real problem. The need to do so becomes greater when the victim is an adolescent on the threshold of looking at life with an independent perspective as well as enthusiastic to take the responsibility of his/her own life. A psychological setback at this stage could just de-alienate them from their purpose and dreams. Samuel Griswold Goodrich's contention that abuse is the weapon of the vulgar is not at all exaggerated. How else would one explain the hatred of one human towards another by not only causing physical but also psychological trauma to another The concept of the entire humanity being an extended family just goes for a ride, for there is no tolerance and synonymous virtues attached to an action that robs an adolescent off his/her future. It is vulgar and there cannot be a more disturbing explanation. The most common symptoms that come out as psychologica... However, a more banal form of abuse involving exhibitionism can be very shocking to young adolescents. Abuse of teenagers can also be in the form of physical or emotional neglect or parental incompetence. A salutary reminder is the number of children who are in care at any one time, some of whom will have been taken into care because of abuse at home. (The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, ) It is very important to observe adolescents with an insightful eye. According to leading theorist Erikson's contention, adolescents are constantly exploring their identity. Every stage in their life poses a new question on identity crisis. An abusive setback can add more chaos to this crisis. The stages of 'split images' and 'dispersion' might be at the helm during such a phase. The victims of psychological abuse are generally not very communicative about their experiences. Even when they are probed, most adolescents would talk in terms of flashbacks or also might try to exhibit dissociative symptoms. Social withdrawal and avoidance of any stimuli that are closely related to the trauma (traumatic trigger) are very typical for traumatic experiences. Some adolescents try to self-medicate with alcohol and drugs to compensate for flashbacks and major emotional disturbances. Many adolescents are also afraid to talk about their traumatic experiences, especially if close relatives are invol ved. They may even feel extreme guilt over their failure to prevent the traumatic event. These adolescents need intensive care and protection. There is another side to the concept of abuse. The abuse might not always have physical or sexual overtones. It could be as abstract as a perspective that an adolescent might develop as he/she is maturing. It could be

Epicurus believed that death should be nothing to us. Describe and Essay

Epicurus believed that death should be nothing to us. Describe and critically assess his principle argument for this conclusion - Essay Example Unfortunately, we can become acquainted only with small parts of his works and some letters,  which reached our times. All the fine points of  Epicureanism can be learned from the works of his followers and critics. Nevertheless, the philosophy of the thinker is valuable and worth-discussing as it presents very interesting ideas about life and death, pleasure and pain, and teaches us how to avoid the fear of death that prevents people from enjoying life. Epicurus had very interesting view on philosophy. He stated that the aim of this science was to reach the pleasant, calm life, absolute harmony without fear and hurt, full-fledged life among true friends. According to the philosopher, delight and hurt define what is good and bad, while death represents the end of everything, both the body and the spirit and that is why humans should not be afraid of it (Bakalis, 2005). The philosopher did not believe that any supreme forces can control human’s life and punish humans. According to his materialistic point of view, our world is founded on the atoms’ behavior and represents eternal system (Panicha, 1967). Epicurus considered the science of philosophy to be very helpful for people in their attempts to make their life more pleasant. The philosophy can help get rid of troubles that make our life poorer. One of the troubles that prevent us from enjoying our life is the fear of death. According to Epicurus, this fear spoils our life and in order to get rid of it, it is necessary we should understand what death really is. In order not to suffer people must feel safe. Here Epicurus is talking about the value of justice. According to the philosopher, only justice can eliminate harm and suffering completely. The philosopher talks about the justice system as about an agreement we sign with each other people make with each other to guarantee our safety. Get used to believing that death is nothing to us. For all good and bad consists in sense experience,

Barriers to nursing profession Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Barriers to nursing profession - Research Paper Example This has inhibited the growth of nursing as knowledge based profession. Nursing is considered as a role that is permanently natural for women; single sex occupation. Therefore, it is identified as a profession that is deeply fixed in the society’s gender based power relations. Women established nursing; it fits the stereotypical ‘feminine’ picture with characteristics of gentleness, nurturing, and caring as opposed to the masculine traits of aggression, strength, and dominance (Giele, et al. 2003). These are the reasons as to why occupations that require these qualities are exclusively considered suited to women, they have gone further and labeled them ‘women work’. Strong stereotypical boundaries that concerns feminine and masculine behavior has been presented to men by the society. Men that dare to choose nursing as a career, face the danger of challenging the gender roles and stereotypes that are defined by the tradition. Economic, political, and social systems enhance these stereotypes. Men who choose careers viewed to be feminine like nursing are always discriminated against are always subject to criticism from the public. Some people have a difficulty of accepting the image of men as gentle, compassionate, and caring. Men fear challenging the stereotypical image of nursing in the society. These characteristics are not essential attribute in the social and biological of the sexes, they are just cultural constructs that are reinforced by the social activities that are associated with being female or male. Nursing image has traditionally been supported using symbols like the angle, sex symbol, doctor’s handmaiden, and, commonly, nurses as women. These pictures are based on women values and attributes, have been utilized by mass communication and interpersonal, strengthening the stereotypes of women being the nurses. This is also reinforced by excluding men in any

CAPM Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

CAPM - Term Paper Example Since capital asset pricing model is not a valid method, there are alternative methods used instead of CAPM. Alternative method includes weighted average cost of capital plus the tailor made marker risk assessment method. The paper ill illustrate the reason as to why the weighted average cost of capital is a better method/approach than the capital asset pricing model method. A brief conclusion will summarize why capital asset is a biased methodology and present why WACC is a better method in assessing cost of capital. Beta measures investment risk of non-diversified venture. Beta measures risk of an already diversified investment portfolio. Beta risk is the only risk which investors do receive a relatively high return than the risk free interest rate. The beta part of asset serves to measure riskiness in an asset. Beta measures individual asset risks and represents non diversifiable risk part of an asset. Beta of a portfolio is an average measure of all individual betas of an asset. Individual asset standard deviation squared measures risks associated with deviations/fluctuation of asset rate of return over time. According to the CAPM, investors are compensated for taking risk and so as to capture the element of time value of money in valuation of risky assets. The risk free rate captures the time value of money in the above formula.it shows how an investor ought to be invested for putting resources in a certain investment over time. Beta is a measure of risk in the model2. The decision rule in the model is that an investment is only undertaken when the expected return meets required return in an investment3. A security market line shows the relationship between CAPM results and various risks in the capital market. Risky assets are the assets which are traded in the asset market. Risk free assets refer to the process of lending and borrowing of assets with a certain interest rate. The CAPM assumes information on