High-tech Enterprise Cost Control Strategy

Background and purpose of the thesisSince 1980s, trends like globalization, technological innovation, and information technology have changed the way companies are managed. On the one hand, the development of information technology brings companies more advanced management tools to reduce costs and increase productivity; on the other hand, globalization of markets is increasing the intensity of competition among industries. In order to survive in the competitive environment, companies must have long-term strategic plan, implement effective management and improve competitiveness. Accounting information, especially cost accounting information plays an important role in developing and implementing the company's strategy. In practice, many companies find that the competitive advantages depend on three factors: cost, quality, product development and on time deliveries. Cost management has a broad focus. It is not just the cost accounting reporting and the accounting system. It is also the approaches and activities of a company in short--run and long--run planning that increase value for customers and lower costs of products and services. Strategic cost management focuses on higher productivity, shorter production runs, larger product quantity and higher product quality.There are distinct differences both on concept and practice between strategic cost management and conventional cost management in high-tech companies. The purpose of this thesis is to do research on the cost management in high-tech companies and find more effective cost control methods that enable high-tech companies to reduce operating risk, improve competitiveness and succeed in competitive business world. Research methods and thoughtsIn this thesis, the author uses both theoretical research method and case study method. The author mainly uses typical cases when she employs case study method. For example, by analyzing the 3-year product life cycle income statements and cost reports of A information technology company, the author indicates that cost control in high-tech companies is not limited to production process but also includes product life cycle cost control. Besides, through MeiDi Air Conditioner zero inventory control case, the author concludes that high-tech companies can use Just-in-time production system to reduce procurement costs, increase inventory turnover rate and reduce inventory level so as to control total inventory costs. In addition, the author chooses W company as an example to prove that Activity-based Costing is a useful method for high-tech companies to control costs.Based on the characteristics of high-tech companies, the author concludes that conventional cost management is no longer suitable for the development of high-tech companies. Companies can use strategic cost management to improve competitiveness. In this thesis, the author first clarifies high-tech company's cost control target. Next the author identifies the key issues of cost control and points out some practical cost control methods that some high-tech companies currently use. Finally, the author believes it is necessary to establish a complete cost control information system to fulfill the cost control goals.Structure of the thesisThere are four chapters and about 57,000 words in this thesis. Chapter 1: Cost management of high-tech companies. This chapter focuses on characteristics of high-tech company's cost management and strategic cost management. In this chapter, the author defines the high-tech company, analyzes the characteristics of high-tech company, points out the limitation of conventional cost management, and proves that implementing strategic cost management can help high-tech company to identify competitive and obtain advantages .Chapter 2: Identification of key issues in strategic cost control . The author first defines the term of cost control as a broad cost management concept, which includes all the efforts to reduce costs. Next, the author analyzes and sets the strategic cost control goa...