Xi, Inc Is Just Starting Up

question 55

Essay

Xi, Inc. is just starting up. The management team has decided from the beginning that decentralization was the preferred organizational style and has made this clear in all interviews and discussions with potential employees. Mr. Yang, the CEO, is unsure about the best way to evaluate his division managers. He has heard the terms return on investment, residual income, economic value added, and flexible budgets but wants to know the pros and cons of each.
Required:
Briefly describe ROI, residual income, EVA and other approaches to performance evaluation. Include in your discussion, where appropriate, how to calculate the measure and problem areas in the development of some of the results.

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Definitions:

Operating Efficiently

The practice of minimizing waste and maximizing resources to achieve optimal productivity and profitability in a business's operations.

Precautionary Motive

A theory explaining the demand for liquidity by individuals and firms as a safeguard against future cash needs and uncertainties.

Safety Margin

The difference between the actual value of a company's sales and the break-even sales, serving as a buffer for unexpected declines in revenue.

Financial Reserve

A portion of funds set aside by a business or organization to cover future obligations or unexpected expenses.