Focusing on true costs in a service organization
Article Abstract:
The Fireman's Fund Corp has devised an efficient method for obtaining additional information about its operating expenses. The company samples costs from various products, activities and tasks, in addition to its regular expense information to determine how employees spend their time. This allows time data to be translated into expense information since majority of costs are employee-driven. Sampling enabled the company to improve its allocation methods and provided insight on profitability. The method also allowed the company to realize that although smaller policies require less work compared to large policies, they also utilize more resources. In addition, the method improved awareness on processing work flows and procedure in the underwriting and claims departments, provided information on future claim-handling costs and determined the effects of different cost drivers.
Publication Name: Management Accounting (USA)
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0025-1690
Year: 1993
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The virtual HR organization
Article Abstract:
The virtual human resources (HR) organization is emerging as a result of a confluence of factors, including the need for cost reduction, technological changes and demand for improved service. In this latest incarnation of HR, outsourcing no longer dominates and is being replaced by shared services or insourcing as well as internal call centers. The processes in this shared services environment are designed around a technology system that includes voice response systems, Web-based systems, workflow and imaging. Another important feature of the virtual HR organization is the shift to employee self-service using Web-based technology. The transitions from function-based transactions to employee event-based transactions, and from centralized data to a network of systems and databases are the other qualities of a virtual HR organization.
Publication Name: Management Accounting (USA)
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0025-1690
Year: 1998
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