scholarly journals The Relationship between Unit Cost and Cumulative Quantity and the Evidence for Organizational Learning-by-Doing

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Thompson

The concept of a learning curve for individuals has been around since the beginning of the twentieth century. The idea that an analogous phenomenon might also apply at the level of the organization took longer to emerge, but it had begun to figure prominently in military procurement and scheduling at least a decade before Wright's (1936) classic paper providing evidence that the cost of producing an airframe declined as cumulative output increased. Wright (1936) was careful not to describe his empirical results as a learning curve. Of his three proposed three explanations for the relationships he observed between cost and cumulative quantity produced, only one is unambiguously a source of organizational learning; the others are consistent with organizational learning but also with standard static economies of scale. It quickly became apparent that the notion of organizational learning as a by-product of accumulated experience has important consequences for firm strategy. The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) built its consulting business around the concept of what it branded the experience curve, asserting that cost reductions associated with cumulative output applied to all costs, were “consistently around 20—30% each time accumulated production is doubled, [and] this decline goes on in time without limit” (Henderson 1968). Today, the negative relationship between unit production costs and cumulative output is one of the best-documented empirical regularities in economics. Nonetheless, the thesis of this paper is that the conceptual transformation of the relationship between cost and cumulative production into an organizational learning curve with profound strategic implications has not been sufficiently supported with direct empirical evidence.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1357633X2098277
Author(s):  
Molly Jacobs ◽  
Patrick M Briley ◽  
Heather Harris Wright ◽  
Charles Ellis

Introduction Few studies have reported information related to the cost-effectiveness of traditional face-to-face treatments for aphasia. The emergence and demand for telepractice approaches to aphasia treatment has resulted in an urgent need to understand the costs and cost-benefits of this approach. Methods Eighteen stroke survivors with aphasia completed community-based aphasia telerehabilitation treatment, utilizing the Language-Oriented Treatment (LOT) delivered via Webex videoconferencing program. Marginal benefits to treatment were calculated as the change in Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R) score pre- and post-treatment and marginal cost of treatment was calculated as the relationship between change in WAB-R aphasia quotient (AQ) and the average cost per treatment. Controlling for demographic variables, Bayesian estimation evaluated the primary contributors to WAB-R change and assessed cost-effectiveness of treatment by aphasia type. Results Thirteen out of 18 participants experienced significant improvement in WAB-R AQ following telerehabilitation delivered therapy. Compared to anomic aphasia (reference group), those with conduction aphasia had relatively similar levels of improvement whereas those with Broca’s aphasia had smaller improvement. Those with global aphasia had the largest improvement. Each one-point of improvement cost between US$89 and US$864 for those who improved (mean = US$200) depending on aphasia type/severity. Discussion Individuals with severe aphasia may have the greatest gains per unit cost from treatment. Both improvement magnitude and the cost per unit of improvement were driven by aphasia type, severity and race. Economies of scale to aphasia treatment–cost may be minimized by treating a variety of types of aphasia at various levels of severity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Machmud

This study aims to analyze the structure of Islamic banking industry in Indonesia after the issuance of Law No. 21 of 2008 on Islamic Banking, including the factors that influence the structure industro through concentration ratio. The method used in this study was a descriptive study (descriptive study) and correlational studies, collecting data through observation techniques to data released by the Financial Services Authority and Bank Indonesia. The data that has been collected analyzed using the ratio of the concentration of 4 largest companies and non-parametric statistical test through Pearson product moment correlation to determine the relationship between variables that affect the concentration ratio. Based on the results of the study showed that the structure of the Islamic banking industry in Indonesia after Act No 21 of 2008 is included in the criteria but with a tight oligopoly involving Islamic Business Unit (UUS) and sharia rural banks (BPRS) included in the competition category is p. The structure of the industry has had a negative relationship with the share market, absolute capital and government policies, and have a positive relationship with the economies of scale and market growth.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1675-1690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boyang Zheng ◽  
Zhongming Wang

We investigated the moderating role of organizational learning on the relationship between perceived overqualification and job satisfaction, affective commitment, and performance. Participants were 49 teams composed of employees and their managers (N = 301) in China. We used a hierarchical linear modeling approach for analysis. The results indicated that when the level of organizational learning was high, the negative relationship between perceived overqualification and affective commitment was stronger, whereas the positive relationship between perceived overqualification and performance was weaker when the level of organization learning was high. These findings imply that, in regard to affective commitment and job performance, in terms of organizational learning, it might be better for employees to be just sufficiently qualified or underqualified rather than overqualified. In this study we have contributed to the literature on the moderators of the relationship between perceived overqualification and its outcomes.


2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Ferro ◽  
Emilio J. Lentini ◽  
Augusto C. Mercadier

The issue of the most favorable size and optimal industry structure in the water sector is a relevant topic in many countries, due to fragmentation of the water sector and the key role played by municipalities. Important debates are taking place worldwide about how to provide universal access to the water supply and offer an efficient service. Regarding efficiency, the possibility of exploiting economies of scale would imply better resource allocation, the potential for lower water charges, and greater geographical coverage. By surveying the empirical research from different parts of the world, we aim to shed some light on the topic of economies of scale, and to provide a synthesis of the literature. We also aim to determine whether there is a tradeoff between centralization and decentralization. Our survey shows that, for several countries, variations in efficiency of water provision due to economies of scale do exist. Increases in efficiency related to economies of scale are found for populations in the range of 100,000 to 1 million people served. For larger populations, volume- or density-constant returns to scale are observed, followed by decreasing returns to scale; the reverse occurs for smaller values, suggesting that cost savings are derived from consolidation of providers. [Returns to scale refer to changes in output resulting where all inputs increase by a constant factor. If output increases by that same proportional change, then there are constant returns to scale. If output increases by less than that proportional change, there are decreasing returns to scale. If output increases by more than that proportional change, there are increasing returns to scale. Returns to scale is a technological phenomenon, due to the relationship between inputs and outputs in the production function. Economies of scale refer to reductions in unit cost as the scale of production increases. Diseconomies of scale are the opposite: increasing in unit costs as the scale of production increases. Scale changes mean a proportional increase in all factors of production. Economies of scale are a economical phenomenon, due to the relationship between unit costs and the level of production.]


2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sencer Ecer ◽  
Mark Magro ◽  
Sinan Sarpça

We study financial efficiency in the nonprofit sector and document that organizations that rely mainly on commercial revenues are more efficient in managing their overhead and administrative expenses compared with nonprofits that rely mainly on donations. We also record a positive relationship between the extent of a nonprofit’s reliance on donations and its efficiency in generating them. Our findings suggest economies of scale in the nonprofit sector and also a positive (negative) relationship between receiving government grants (membership income) and overall efficiency. We discuss what our findings imply for social enterprises and traditional nonprofits.


2016 ◽  
pp. 59-70
Author(s):  
Ninh Le Khuong ◽  
Nghiem Le Tan ◽  
Tho Huynh Huu

This paper aims to detect the impact of firm managers’ risk attitude on the relationship between the degree of output market uncertainty and firm investment. The findings show that there is a negative relationship between these two aspects for risk-averse managers while there is a positive relationship for risk-loving ones, since they have different utility functions. Based on the findings, this paper proposes recommendations for firm managers to take into account when making investment decisions and long-term business strategies as well.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-382
Author(s):  
Irsa Fatima Makhdoom ◽  
Mohsin Atta ◽  
Najma Iqbal Malik

The present study was an endeavor to extend the literature of perceived organizational politics by examining its moderating role between the relationship of organizational citizenship behavior and production deviance. Organizational Citizenship Behavior Scale (Mackenzie, Podsakoff, & Paine, 1999), Production Deviance sub-scale of Counterproductive Work Behavior Checklist-32 (Spector et al., 2006), and Perception of Organizational Politics Scale (Kacmar & Carlson, 1997) were used in present study. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that low levels of perceived organizational politics moderated the relationship between courtesy and production deviance by strengthening the negative relationship of these behaviors while perceived organizational politics did not act as a moderator for the relationship of civic virtue and conscientiousness with production deviance. High level of go-along-to-get-ahead as a moderator strengthened the relationship of civic virtue and conscientiousness with production deviance and its low level was found to be moderating the relationship between courtesy and production deviance. Future implications of the study were also discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunita ◽  
Urvashi Singh ◽  
Shalini Singh ◽  
Rajnee Sharma

The present study was conducted to examine the relationship between organisational stress and organisational citizenship behaviours (OCBs) in employees of call centers. The study also further explored as how stress at work set-up has negative impact on OCBs. A sample of 250 employees working in call centre of Gurgaon belonging to an age group of 25-30 years were selected on availability basis. All were working married couples living in nuclear families. Job stress survey (Spielberger & Vagg, 1999) and Organisational Citizenship Behaviour (Bateman & Organ, 1983) were administered. Data was analysed by using simple correlation and multiple regression. Results showed the negative relationship between organisational stress and OCBs. Results of regression analysis also exhibited the negative impact of stress on OCBs. The implications for the employees are discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 370
Author(s):  
Chiemeke Kingsley Chiedu ◽  
Choi Sang Long ◽  
Hapriza BT Ashar

Employee turnover has become a key performance indicator for many organizations as they struggle to retain talented employees. The negative impact of turnover on organizational performance has continually forced organizational leaders to seek better ways of retaining valuable employees. The relationship between man and work has always attracted the attention of philosophers. A major part of men’s life is spent at work. Work is social reality and social expectation to which men seem to conform. It not only provides status to the individual but also binds him to the society. An employee who is satisfied with his job would perform his duties well and be committed to his job, and subsequently to his organization. This paper examines relationship among job satisfaction, organizational commitment and employees’ turnover intentions at Unilever Corporation in Nigeria. The data for this study was collected from 117 employees currently working at Unilever Nigeria PLC using the survey method via the questionnaire. Pearson Correlation and the multiple regression analysis techniques using the SPSS version 22.0 was used for the data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that both job satisfaction and organizational commitment have significant negative relationship with employee turnover intentions. In addition, organizational commitment was revealed to have a more dorminant influence on employee turnover intentions than job satisfaction. Based on these findings, the implications, recommendations, practice, and theory were discussed.


Author(s):  
Madhvi . ◽  
Amit Gautam ◽  
Amit Srivastava

This paper examines the relationship between NPA announcements by banks and the impulsive movement in stock price brought out by these announcements. Primary focus of this study is to determine whether we can create a swing trading model based on back testing the data for the banking stocks listed on the Indian bourses.To achieve this objective we created a databasespanning ten years (2006 to 2016) and collected the daily share prices of eight banks listed on Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The relationship between share price and changes in NPA is studied on the basis of correlation studies and panel-data analysis. Although correlation studies does not establish any significant relationship, but the result of panel-data analysis clearly shows a negative relationship between the two. The result is further utilized to develop swing trading model and get benefit out of it. The novelty of the present study is that it clearly guides the swing traders as to how to earn benefit because of fluctuations in share price due to announce of NPA result.


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