An International Comparative Research On Cost Management Methods

As the continuous rising of RMB exchange rate, inflation, as well as increased intensity of international competition, China has entered a meager profit time. The eternal theme of enterprise-cost management attracted extensive attention. With relatively low development level of cost management ideas and cost management methods, Chinese enterprises face great challenge of how to survive in the meager profit time. In order to raise the level of cost management and strengthen international competitiveness, it is necessary for Chinese enterprises to learn the advanced experience of developed countries. Three countries-the United States, Japan and Germany, who are world leaders and representatives in the area of cost management, are selected for further study. Applying the methods of normal research and comparative study, this article compares China's cost management methods with the three countries from different angles. Chapter 1 is introduction. Chapter 2 is review of cost management methods. Chapter 3 briefly reviews the history of each countries' cost management. Chapter 4 compares each countries' cost management methods in various aspects, such as guiding ideology, the content of methods, implementation process-cost control and implementation effects, and concludes the characteristics of cost management of the United States, Japan and Germany, which are ABCM, TCM and GPK respectively. Considering the actual situation, it also points out the existing problems of cost management in Chinese enterprises. Chapter 5 analyzes the cultural and economic reasons for differences between the four countries' cost management methods. Finally, Chapter 6 concludes and gives some proposals for china's cost management reform.The main viewpoints and conclusions: Through international comparison, this article sums up the characteristics of each countries' cost management. It also points out that it is necessary for China to introduce and learn advanced management ideas and management methods abroad. Considering the actual situation of China, the article indicates that with the appropriate conditions, the majority of China's enterprises can try to adopt the flexible marginal cost management methods. Finally, analyzing the characteristics of China's cost management and management environment, the article provides some useful suggestions about China's cost management reform, and notes that China should develop the cost management system with Chinese characteristics.