Question

In: Accounting

PIK Manufacturing rewards its plant managers for their ability to meet budgeted quality cost reductions. The...

PIK Manufacturing rewards its plant managers for their ability to meet budgeted quality cost reductions. The bonus is increased if the productivity goal is met or exceeded. The productivity goal is computed by multiplying the units produced by the prevailing market price and dividing this measure of output by the total cost of the inputs used. Additionally, if the plant as a whole meets the budgeted targets, the production supervisors and workers receive salary and wage increases. Jim Smith, the manager of a plant in Alberta, felt obligated to do everything he could to provide this increase to his employees. Accordingly, he has decided to take the following actions during the last quarter of the year to meet the plant’s budgeted targets and increase the productivity ratio: a. Decrease inspections of the process and final product by 50 percent and transfer inspectors temporarily to quality training programs. Jim believes this move will increase the inspectors’ awareness of the importance of quality; also, decreasing inspection will produce significantly less downtime and less rework. By increasing the output and decreasing the costs of internal failure, the plant can meet the budgeted reductions for internal failure costs and, simultaneously, increase its productivity measure. Also, by showing an increase in the costs of quality training, the budgeted level for prevention costs can be met. b. Delay replacing and repairing defective products until the beginning of the following year. While this may increase customer dissatisfaction somewhat, Jim believes that most customers expect some inconvenience. Besides, the policy of promptly dealing with dissatisfied customers could be reinstated in three months. In the meantime, the action would significantly reduce the costs of external failure, allowing the plant to meet its budgeted target. Required: a. Evaluate Jim’s ethical behaviour. In this evaluation, consider his concern for his employees. Was he justified in taking the actions described in the problem? If not, what should he have done?

Solutions

Expert Solution

Answer)

Here, Jim behaviour cannot be treated ethical as he is trying to decrease costs and produce Additional output through reducing the cost of internal rework.Moreover,he is trying to cover his additional cost of external repairs through providing delayed service to the consumer.

Here,Jim's concern for his employees are very good but the actions he take are not ethical.it is mentioned in the question that Jim obligated to this for his employees but there is chances that he is doing them for his personal rewards also as mentioned in the question as the opening point.

I don't think that the actions taken by the Jim is justified. This is because in a name of decreasing the costs he is providing low quality goods and services for the persons who spent money for obtaining the goods.

Here, instead of doing these kinds of cost reduction, it will be better he find some ways for cost control like reduction of wastage and so. Here,he is providing training to his quality inspectors which may increase their speed and accuracy which may help in decreasing down time and also cost of exteral repairs in subsequent years but for this year he must have provide best of repairing and replacing services for the customers which may be considered to be somewhat ethical.


Related Solutions

A company rewards its production department employees for meeting budgeted cost levels by giving out bonuses....
A company rewards its production department employees for meeting budgeted cost levels by giving out bonuses. If the department’s costs exceed the budget, employees do not get a bonus. What problems might arise with such a plan?  
Norwall Company’s budgeted variable manufacturing overhead cost is $1.20 per machine-hour and its budgeted fixed manufacturing...
Norwall Company’s budgeted variable manufacturing overhead cost is $1.20 per machine-hour and its budgeted fixed manufacturing overhead is $105,966 per month. The following information is available for a recent month: The denominator activity of 33,640 machine-hours is used to compute the predetermined overhead rate. At a denominator activity of 33,640 machine-hours, the company should produce 11,600 units of product. The company’s actual operating results were: Number of units produced 12,060 Actual machine-hours 35,050 Actual variable manufacturing overhead cost $ 38,555...
How does “minimum staffing” impact your ability to meet your nursing budgeted numbers?
How does “minimum staffing” impact your ability to meet your nursing budgeted numbers?
What is the solvency of a business? to. Ability of the business to meet all its...
What is the solvency of a business? to. Ability of the business to meet all its obligations and dividends b. The financial stability of a company c. Ability to pay all shareholders in case of company bankruptcy. d. Business capacity to cover long-term debts with fixed assets
In order to determine the ability of a project to meet its debt obligations, it is...
In order to determine the ability of a project to meet its debt obligations, it is important to forecast the project cash flows. Explain why it is important to carry out a cash flow analysis in project finance and the five factors that need to be considered when calculating cash flows
In order to determine the ability of a project to meet its’ debt obligations it is...
In order to determine the ability of a project to meet its’ debt obligations it is important to forecast the project cash flows. Explain why it is important to carry out a cash flow analysis in project finance and the five factors that need to be considered when calculating cash flows.
Northwood Corp, purchased new equipment to be used in its manufacturing plant. The cost of the...
Northwood Corp, purchased new equipment to be used in its manufacturing plant. The cost of the equipment was $250,000 including $5,000 freight and $12,000 of taxes. In addition to the equipment cost, Northwood paid $10,000 to install the equipment and $7,500 to train its employees to use the equipment. Over the asset's life, Northwood paid $35,000 for repair and maintenance. At the end of five years, Northwood extended the life of the asset by rebuilding the equipment's motors at a...
Lease Equipment Cost and INSURANCE ON PLANT BUILDING of a Manufacturing Company is a Manufacturing Cost...
Lease Equipment Cost and INSURANCE ON PLANT BUILDING of a Manufacturing Company is a Manufacturing Cost or a Non Manufacturing Cost (Period Cost) ? Explain With Example
Which of the following terms best describes a government's ongoing ability and willingness to meet its...
Which of the following terms best describes a government's ongoing ability and willingness to meet its financial obligations and service commitments as they become due? Question 19 : A) Financial condition. B) Financial position. C) Economic condition. D) Fiscal capacity.
Morton Company’s budgeted variable manufacturing overhead is $3.00 per direct labor-hour and its budgeted fixed manufacturing...
Morton Company’s budgeted variable manufacturing overhead is $3.00 per direct labor-hour and its budgeted fixed manufacturing overhead is $300,000 per year. The company manufactures a single product whose standard direct labor-hours per unit is 2.0 hours. The standard direct labor wage rate is $20 per hour. The standards also allow 3 feet of raw material per unit at a standard cost of $4 per foot. Although normal activity is 40,000 direct labor-hours each year, the company expects to operate at...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT