Target costing

The implementation of a cost control system in construction companies contributes to reducing resource losses in the production process and increasing business productivity and profitability, especially when it comes to small business, which normally do not have a planning system and efficient control. Therefore, this article aims to propose a target costing model for a small construction business, concerning the efficient evaluation of its costs for the maximization of profits in proposals to provide services to public entities. A case study is used, in which data collection occurred through a questionnaire, observations of the process of preparing financial proposals, other unstructured questions, and documentary search, whose approach includes descriptive and qualitative research. The survey results revealed that the enterprise has a cost control system, but is technologically backward. Besides, the enterprise already intuitively used the concepts of target cost in preparing budgets. After evaluating the costs, a target costing model was suggested for the enterprise to use as a parameter in the bidding processes, however, it was not implemented due to the current unfavorable conditions.

Low density optimization of emulsion explosive to improve blasting quality (MNK Max70)

PT Multi Nitrotama Kimia is a mining service company engaged in providing blasting services and the largest sales of explosives in Indonesia. PT Pamapersada Nusantara jobsite Kideco Jaya Agung is one of the customers of PT Multi Nitrotama Kimia in the blasting service business unit. On a far more optimal side, the development of commodity price conditions and operational needs is a common concern. From these conditions, one of the best target cost controls for blasting and fragmentation is to make adjustments and improvement to the quality and quantity of the use of bulk products. The high use of bulk products at the Kideco Jaya Agung Jobsite is a particular concern, especially for rocks that require a high powder factor value, thereby increasing blasting operation costs. From this condition, PT Multi Nitrotama Kimia strives to optimize the bottom value of density product emulsion MNK Max70 using chemical improvement from the previous 1.15 gr/cc to 1.05 gr/cc. This improvement has brought good results, where optimization in terms of using bulks product and blasting quality such as fragmentation and Velocity of Detonation (VOD) values are still in accordance with product standards.

Enterprise target cost control algorithm based on hypercycle model

Considering that the current cost control algorithm has the problems of poor control effect and high cost of manpower and material resources in enterprise cost control, a target cost control algorithm based on Hypercycle model is proposed. By analyzing the relationship between capital, price, technology and target cost control, this paper analyzes the influence of uncertain factors on target cost, and constructs a cost control super cycle model to realize enterprise cost control. Examples show that the algorithm can effectively improve the cost effect of enterprises, and has the practicability of reducing enterprise costs and improving enterprise profits.

Relationship between Financial Structure and Financial Performance of Flag Carriers in Africa

While airline profitability has remained a challenge over several years, the weakest performance identified by IATA reports was from airlines in Africa and Latin America. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of leverage, liquidity, and asset tangibility on firm profitability of flag carriers in Africa. Stratified random sampling technique adopted reduced the working population of 23 firms to 4 firms namely Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airways, Air Mauritius and South African Airways. Data was collected from each airline’s website over a thirteen-year period between 2005–2017. The findings were that leverage had a significant effect that was either positive or negative depending on whether debt is financed by equity or by assets implying that airline managers should endeavour to target cost-efficient sources of capital. Liquidity and asset tangibility were observed to have no significant effect and had little to no explanatory power on financial performance in the selected African airlines. The study recommends implementing a collaborative effort using a tri-partite debt covenant between airline managers, lenders of capital and government. African governments and local lenders should step in to support their Flag carriers by reducing the gaps and costs associated with acquisition of debt and other sources of capital. Airline managers on their part should manage resources efficiently and be held accountable with periodic audits to ensure they are invested in sustainable levels of their airline’s profitability.

MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF THE COVERING OPTIMIZATION OF THE ROUND BUILDINGS IN A PLAN WITH A RADIAL BEAM POSITION

The article presents the results of optimization of the angle between radial beams in the floor of a circular building in the plan. On the one hand, they rest on the central post, and on the other, on vertical supporting structures along the circle. Steel decking is laid on the beams. The angle between the beams is determined so that the mass of the beam and the deck is minimal. This angle is considered optimal. To solve the problem, the target function of the cost of flooring and radial beams per unit floor area is used. This function depends on the angle between the beams. Using mathematical methods of differentiation, the minimum of the objective function and the corresponding value of the optimal angle were found. The thickness of the flooring was determined on the basis of ensuring its rigidity. It is assumed that composite welded radial beams have I-beams with two axes of symmetry. The height of the beam corresponds to the equality of the areas of the shelves and the wall. The problem of determining the optimal angle between the beams was solved on the basis of ensuring the strength of the beams under normal stresses. In the design diagram of the beam, a triangular distributed load is adopted. The dimensions of the cross-section of the beam were determined based on the equality of the required and actual moments of resistance, and were included in the target cost function. The study took into account that the deflection of the beam at the optimal angle between them can exceed the limiting standard value. Based on the solution of the system of equations of strength and stiffness, a formula is obtained for the minimum angle between the beams from the stiffness condition. The carried out mathematical studies have shown that at the optimal angle between the beams, it is possible to ensure its rigidity. This is possible when the flexibility of the beam wall exceeds a certain minimum value. Analysis of the formula for the minimum value of the wall flexibility showed that it is proportional to the design steel resistance to the sixth power. Therefore, to ensure that the deflection of the beam does not exceed the limiting value at the optimum angle, it is necessary to use low strength steel. To confirm the practical feasibility of using the proposed method, the problem was solved with certain numerical data. The results obtained have confirmed that the problem has a practical meaning at a relatively low steel strength. In addition, it turned out that the optimal angle between the beams does not depend on its span.

Evaluation of Target Value Delivery and Opportunity Management as Complementary Practices

Opportunity management and Target Value Delivery (TVD) have both been studied extensively but separately. The two approaches have been presented as solutions for increasing value in a project for the owner and users. However, it seems there has not been much research that addresses the link between the two approaches. The purpose of this study is to increase knowledge of how TVD can facilitate opportunity management. The results from a literature review are compared with the practice in two cases: TVD in a large infrastructure project and opportunity management in a large building project. The results from the building project showed a lack of inherent motivation for change and innovation in the project organization. The identified opportunities were aimed mainly at maximizing the project’s operational value and keeping costs within the approved budget. TVD seems to handle this with extensive attention to maintain value for the end-users. Besides, the target cost element of TVD seems to complement opportunity management by creating incentives to be flexible about change and innovation. This paper’s originality is to combine two well-established approaches that have many similarities but have yet to be explored in relation to each other.

Implementation of Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation on System on Programmable Chip

For years, DSP has been the dominant tool in implementing gate switching for power inverter. It is a powerful and reliable technology in carrying out complex switching schemes. DSP is still expensive due to its intensive use of resource in chip fabrication. There is no flexibility in making change on hardware once a DSP chip is selected. It is also time consuming in a design development because the learning curve of the DSP is stiff. Recently, a new approach to the problem has emerged. It is called embedded system design. Basically, it is a FPGA system combined with a RISC type microprocessor. This is a robust combination that allows users to pick and choose any functional peripheral devices only as needed. Once the complete hardware platform is decided upon, the circuit is configured and down loaded to a chip. Software codes are then written to run the application. The hardware system is reconfigurable. Designers can always go back to change the hardware with ease in order to improve the performance and to meet the target cost. This is an attempt to utilize the embedded system design also called System on Programmable Chip (SOPC) to perform Space Vector Modulation (SVM) gate switching strategy. The Altera Nios II IDE tool is selected for this task.

Implementation of Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation on System on Programmable Chip

For years, DSP has been the dominant tool in implementing gate switching for power inverter. It is a powerful and reliable technology in carrying out complex switching schemes. DSP is still expensive due to its intensive use of resource in chip fabrication. There is no flexibility in making change on hardware once a DSP chip is selected. It is also time consuming in a design development because the learning curve of the DSP is stiff. Recently, a new approach to the problem has emerged. It is called embedded system design. Basically, it is a FPGA system combined with a RISC type microprocessor. This is a robust combination that allows users to pick and choose any functional peripheral devices only as needed. Once the complete hardware platform is decided upon, the circuit is configured and down loaded to a chip. Software codes are then written to run the application. The hardware system is reconfigurable. Designers can always go back to change the hardware with ease in order to improve the performance and to meet the target cost. This is an attempt to utilize the embedded system design also called System on Programmable Chip (SOPC) to perform Space Vector Modulation (SVM) gate switching strategy. The Altera Nios II IDE tool is selected for this task.