Concepts of Throughput Accounting and Theory of Constraints

Financial Management

Kaizen – Understanding the Japanese Business Philosophy of Continuous Improvement

Operations Management

Role of Leaders in Shaping Organizational Culture

Management Principles

Organizational Culture – Development and Importance

Management Principles

Five Important Organizational Cultural Models

Management Principles

Cost-Output Relationship

A proper understanding of the nature and behavior of costs is a must for regulation and control of cost of production. The cost of production depends on money forces and an understanding of the functional relationship of cost to various forces will help us to take various decisions. Output is an important factor, which influences the cost. The cost-output relationship plays an important role in determining the optimum level of production. Knowledge of the cost-output relation helps the manager in cost control, profit prediction, pricing, promotion etc. The relation between cost and its determinants is technically described as the cost function. C= f (S, O, P, T ….) Where; C= Cost (Unit or total cost) S= Size of plant/scale of production O= Output level P= Prices of inputs T= Technology Considering the period the cost function can be classified as (1) short-run cost function and (2) long-run cost function. In Continue reading

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Method Study

Method Study is a technique which analyses each operation of a given piece of work very closely in order to eliminate unnecessary operations and to approach the quickest and easiest method of performing each necessary operation; it includes the standardization of equipment, method and working conditions; and training of the operator to follow the standard method.  The philosophy of method study is that ‘there is always a better way of doing a job’ and the tools of method study are designed to systematically arrive at this better way of doing a job.   Method study is essentially used for finding better ways of doing work. It is a technique for cost reduction. Method Study may also be defined as the systematic investigation of the existing method of doing a job in order to develop and install an easy, rapid, efficient and effective and less fatiguing procedure for doing the same Continue reading

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Theories of Competitive Advantage

Strategy is the plan of action that allocates resources and activities and aims at dealing with the environment, achieving a competitive advantage and attaining the organisation’s goals. Competitive advantage refers to what sets the organisation apart from others and provides it with a distinctive edge for meeting customer needs in the marketplace. The choice that will make the organisation different is the essence of formulating strategy. In order to remain competitive, companies need to focus on core competencies, develop synergy and create value. Competitive advantage is a company’s ability to perform in one or more ways that competitors cannot or will not match. A competitive advantage is said to be sustainable when it has the means to edge out rivals when competing for the favors of customers. Although sustainability is the ideal case for advantages, the most common competitive advantages are leverageable, which means that a company can use them Continue reading

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Export Financing Programmes Provided by EXIM Bank India

EXIM INDIA offers a range of financing programs that match the menu of Exim Banks of the industrialized countries. However, the Bank is atypical in the universe of Exim Banks in that it has over the years evolved, so as to anticipate and meet the special needs of a developing country. The Bank provides competitive finance at various stages of the export cycle covering: EXIM INDIA operates a wide range of financing and promotional programs. The Bank finances exports of Indian machinery, manufactured goods, and consultancy and technology services on deferred payment terms. EXIM INDIA also seeks to co finance projects with global and regional development agencies to assist Indian exporters in their efforts to participate in such overseas projects. The Bank is involved in promotion of two-way technology transfer through the outward flow of investment in Indian joint ventures overseas and foreign direct investment flow into India. EXIM INDIA Continue reading

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International Financial Markets

International financial markets provide links connecting the financial markets of each country and independent markets external to the authority of any one country. The heart of the international financial market is being governed by the currency market where the foreign currency is denominated by the international trade and investment. Hence the purchase of goods and services is preceded by the purchase of currency. The following are the reasons given for the enormous growth in the trading of foreign currency: Deregulation of international capital flows – Without the major government restrictions, itis extremely simple to move the currencies and capital around the globe. Gain in technology and transaction cost efficiency — The advancements in technologyis not only taking place in the distribution of information, in addition to the performance of exchange or trading. This has resulted greatly to the capacity of individuals on these markets to accomplish instantaneous arbitrage. Market upswings Continue reading

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Service Failure and Recovery

Service Failures Even with the best   service organizations, failures can just happen — they may be due to the service not available when promised, it may be delivered late or too slowly (some times too fast??), the outcome may be incorrect or poorly executed, or employees may be rude or uncaring. All these types of service failures bring about negative experiences. If left unfixed they can result in customers leaving, telling others about the negative experiences or even challenging through consumer courts. Research has shown that resolving the problems effectively has a strong impact on the customer satisfaction, loyalty, and bottom-line performance. Customers who experience service failures, but are ultimately satisfied based on recovery efforts by the firm, will be more loyal. The Recovery Paradox It is suggested that customers who are dissatisfied, but experience a high level of excellent service recovery, may be more satisfied and more likely Continue reading

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