Answer the Following Questions Using the Information Below:
Following a Strategy

question 56

Multiple Choice

Answer the following questions using the information below:
Following a strategy of product differentiation, Arseniq Company makes a high-end Appliance, XT15. Arseniq presents the following data for the years 2014 and 2015:
$\begin{array}{lrr}&2014&2015\\\text { Units of XT15 produced and sold } & 50,000 & 52,500 \\\text { Selling price } & \$ 500 & \$ 550 \\\text { Direct materials (square feet) } & 150,000 & 153,750 \\\text { Direct materials costs per square foot } & \$ 50 & \$ 55 \\\text { Manufacturing capacity in units of XT15 } & 62,500 & 62,500\\\text { Total conversion costs } & \$ 6,250,000 & \$ 6,875,000 \\\text { Conversion costs per unit of capacity } & \$ 100 & \$ 110 \\\text { Selling and customer-service capacity (customers) } & 150 & 150 \\\text { Total selling and customer-service costs } & \$ 2,250,000 & \$ 2,343,750 \\\text { Selling and customer-service capacity cost per customer } & \$ 15,000 & \$ 15,625\end{array}$ Arseniq produces no defective units but it wants to reduce direct materials usage per unit of XT15. Manufacturing conversion costs in each year depend on production capacity defined in terms of XT15 units that can be produced. Selling and customer-service costs depend on the number of customers that the customer and service functions are designed to support. Arseniq had 140 customers in 2014 and 145 customers in 2015.
-What is the change in operating income from 2014 to 2015?

• A) $2,200,000 U
• B) $3,875,000 F
• C) $2,200,000 F
• D) $3,875,000 U

---

Definitions:

Productive

The ability to produce a significant amount or result, especially in terms of work or creativity.

Managing Time

The process of planning and controlling how much time to spend on specific activities to increase efficiency or productivity.

Animal Researchers

Scientists who conduct experiments and studies focused on understanding the behaviors, physiology, and genetics of animals.

Government Regulations

Laws and rules established by authorities to control or govern conduct within certain domains.