Cost Structure Research Articles

Penerapan Strategi Pemasaran Pada Produk UKM Keripik Pare di Kecamatan Pasekan Kabupaten Indramayu

The need for healthy food is increasing along with population growth and increasingly limited agricultural land. However, many snack foods on the market contain additional ingredients that can be harmful to health. Therefore, healthy and nutritious snack products are increasingly needed. One interesting alternative is bitter melon chips, which are a snack product made from bitter melon, a plant that has high nutritional value. In an effort to publicize and market bitter melon chips, a business called Keripik Pare was founded by a group in West Java. The business proposal includes business ideas, capital, production planning, and marketing strategies to increase product competitiveness and business profitability and uses structured and effective implementation methods to produce quality products. By implementing SWOT analysis and the canvas business model, it is hoped that you will be able to identify business strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and design the right business strategy. In addition, the marketing strategy used includes market segmentation, determining market targets, and appropriate product placement. Through this effort, it is hoped that it can increase public awareness of the importance of consuming healthy food, create new jobs, and increase the income of local farmers.

Charting the Sustainable Course: Navigating the Saudi Arabia Medical and Wellness Tourism Roadmap with Business Model Canvas (BMC)

Charting the Sustainable Course: Navigating the Saudi Arabia Medical and Wellness Tourism Roadmap with Business Model Canvas (BMC)

Cost Structure and the Usefulness of Earnings

We investigate the relation between the usefulness of earnings and firm cost structure. We document that the usefulness of earnings to external users decreases in the degree of operating leverage, which measures the proportion of fixed to variable costs, and that this decline extends at least partially from the relation between the degree of operating leverage and two earnings properties: aggressive revenue recognition to meet an earnings target and earnings volatility. Our results illustrate how firm fundamentals influence a firm’s information environment and thereby the usefulness of earnings to external users. This paper was accepted by Ranjani Krishnan, accounting. Supplemental Material: The data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.03023 .

Seeding Atomic Silver into Internal Lattice Sites of Transition Metal Oxide for Advanced Electrocatalysis.

Transition metal oxides (TMOs) are widely studied for loading of various catalysts due to their low cost and high structure flexibility. However, the prevailing close-packed nature of most TMOs crystals has restricted the available loading sites to surface only, while their internal bulk lattice remains unactuated due to the inaccessible narrow space that blocks out most key reactants and/or particulate catalysts. Herein, using tunnel-structured MnO2, this study demonstrates how TMO's internal lattice space can be activated as extra loading sites for atomic Ag in addition to the conventional surface-only loading, via which a dual-form Ag catalyst within MnO2 skeleton is established. In this design, not only faceted Ag nanoparticles are confined onto MnO2 surface by coherent lattice-sharing, Ag atomic strings are also seeded deep into the sub-nanoscale MnO2 tunnel lattice, enriching the catalytically active sites. Tested for electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR), such dual-form catalyst exhibits a high Faradaic efficiency (94%), yield (67.3mol g-1 h-1) and durability (≈48h) for CO production, exceeding commercial Ag nanoparticles and most Ag-based electrocatalysts. Theoretical calculations further reveal the concurrent effect of such dual-form catalyst featuring facet-dependent eCO2RR for Ag nanoparticles and lattice-confined eCO2RR for Ag atomic strings, inspiring the future design of catalyst-substrate configuration.

An Internet of Things-Based Production Scheduling for Distributed Two-Stage Assembly Manufacturing with Mold Sharing

In digital product and ion scheduling centers, order–factory allocation, factory–mold allocation, and mold routing can be performed centrally and efficiently to maximize the utilization of manufacturing resources (molds). Therefore, in this paper, a manufacturing resource (molds)-sharing mechanism based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and a cyber-physical production system (CPPS) is designed to realize the coordinated allocation of molds and production scheduling. A mixed-integer mathematical model is developed to optimize the cost structure and obtain a reasonable profit solution. A heuristic algorithm based on evolutionary reversal is used to solve the problem. The numerical results show that based on the digital coordinated production scheduling method, distributed two-stage assembly manufacturing with shared molds can effectively reduce the order delay time and increase potential benefits for distributed production enterprises.

Effects of primary flow temperature on phase change characteristics in hydrogen recirculation ejector for PEM fuel cell system

The hydrogen recirculation ejector, known for its low cost and simple structure, has garnered widespread attention in PEM fuel cell applications. As a fluid-driven passive component, the fluid dynamics inside the ejector play a pivotal role in determining its entrainment performance. This study explores the impact of the primary flow temperature on phase change characteristics based on the Euler-Lagrange model. Results indicate that at a primary flow temperature of -40 °C, the mass flow rate of droplets at the outlet reaches 285.2 mg/s, representing a condensation efficiency of 24.1%. Concurrently, condensation elevates the outlet temperature by 31.2 °C, resulting in an 8.8% reduction in the entrainment ratio. The mass flow rate of droplets decreases significantly as the primary flow temperature increases. As the temperature rises to 60 °C, homogeneous droplets vanish entirely. Simultaneously, foreign heterogeneous droplets evaporate by 42.0%, attributed to the negative subcooling degree at the diffuser and outlet pipe. This study emphasizes the significance of controlling the primary flow temperature for the hydrogen recirculation ejector.

Business Strategy SME Wingko Loe Lan Ing After Pandemic in Lamongan, East Java Indonesia

SME Wingko Loe Lan Ing is a typical souvenir food establishment, or Wingko, located in the Babat District. The research's goal is to identify, analyze, and build a new business model for SMEs, such as Loe Lan Ing, to compete using the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and SWOT analysis. This research is required to assess Wingko Loe Lan Ing SME's business position using SWOT analysis and then develop it using the Business Model Canvas. According to the study's findings, Loe Lan Ing SMEs are in quadrant one, or an aggressive expansion plan, and have an alternative strategy for the new Business Model Canvas (BMC) proposal, which includes eight pieces for offering a new approach, such as the segment customer block there need to be additional consumers from outside the region, adding value to increase consumer trust and adding flavor variants, adding channels such as marketplaces on LAZADA and Bukalapak, dropship sales systems, catering and events businesses, adding key partners such as event organizers and food bloggers, main activity optimization with technology, main resources for website creation and the addition of silica gel to packaging, revenue streams that get additional income from the sale of production waste and event organizers, and the cost structure that requires spending for endorsements to food bloggers.

Defining Service Quality of BRI Merchant Application Using Importance Performance Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed people's habits worldwide, accelerating the adoption of cashless payment transactions, especially in Indonesia. This situation allows Financial Technology companies and Conventional Banks to increase competition. This thesis focuses on the Digital Payments Industry in Indonesia, emphasizing the Merchant Acceptance Business, which has a crucial role as a catalyst for Cashless Payments. This research is based on previous studies regarding service quality, business model canvas, and the importance of performance analysis of the BRI Merchant Application. This research aims to define a service quality strategy for BRI merchant applications through a critical performance analysis approach. The study found that the quality of BRI merchant application services consists of changing merchant data, adding EDC, Checking transactions, reconciling Payments, filing complaints, and monitoring complaints.

A conceptual model for Muslim-friendly hotel entrepreneurship

Muslim-friendly tourism is one of the prominent topics in academic studies due to its potential returns and estimated market volume in recent years. Within this tourism type, customizing tourism products and services currently offered in the sector, rendering innovative tourism products and services needed by the customer segment, and profiting from the sale of these products and services are critical issues that need to be underlined. Although many studies have been carried out on Muslim-friendly hotels which are the essential dimensions of Muslim-friendly tourism, it is known that the studies investigating Muslim-friendly hotels in terms of entrepreneurship are limited in number, content, and scope. Therefore, it is aimed to carry out a conceptual analysis of Muslim-friendly hotel entrepreneurship and examine it under the main headings of the entrepreneurship field. Through the in-depth literature analysis, this study provided insights into the Muslim-friendly hotel entrepreneurship model. The Business Model Canvas, the success model, and the challenges of Muslim-friendly hotel entrepreneurship were produced. In addition to the importance of spiritual harmony between the entrepreneur and business concept, a supportive ecosystem was emphasized based on the designed conceptual model. The article was concluded with the implications for future research.

A Strategic Framework for Sustainable Business Model of Renewable Energy Services

Purpose: The main objective of this research is to investigate the ongoing scientific investigations into sustainable business models framework in the energy sector, with a particular focus on the shift towards renewable energy sources. This entails comprehending how firms may adjust to and propel the transition towards sustainability in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).   Theoretical Framework: The theoretical foundation of this study is anchored in the concept of the triple bottom line, which emphasizes the need for businesses to focus on three key areas: economic, social, and environmental dimensions. This approach is essential for achieving sustainable development, as it ensures that business models are designed to contribute positively to society and the environment, in addition to being economically viable. Methodology: A comparative literature review serves as the methodology for this research. This method involves systematically analyzing existing literature on sustainable business models in the energy sector to identify trends, gaps, and theoretical underpinnings. The comparative aspect allows for the evaluation of different approaches and the identification of best practices and areas for future research.   Findings: The research identifies that while there is a growing trend towards the adoption of renewable energy sources, significant challenges remain. These include technological limitations, regulatory barriers, and financial constraints. However, by refining the business model canvas to incorporate elements of sustainability, businesses can create adaptable frameworks that address these challenges. This revised canvas includes components that emphasize economic viability, socio-cultural values, and ecological integrity.   Research & Practical Implications: The conceptualization of a sustainable business model canvas is a key practical implication of this research. It offers businesses a clear and systematic way to integrate sustainable practices into their operations. This tool is designed to promote holistic sustainable development and informed decision-making by incorporating economic, socio-cultural, and ecological values into the business planning process. By doing so, it has the potential to facilitate the transition towards more sustainable business practices in the energy sector and beyond, thereby contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.   Originality: The originality of this study is grounded in its comprehensive approach to integrating sustainability into business models, its adaptation of existing frameworks to better suit sustainable development goals, and its forward-looking perspective that seeks to guide future research and practical applications in the energy sector and beyond.

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF TALAS BENENG (Xanthosoma undipes) AGROFORESTRY IN CIAMIS REGENCY, INDONESIA

Recently, the Indonesian government has sought to secure food production from forestlands by implementing agroforestry in rural areas. Talas beneng or tall elephant ear plant (Xanthosoma undipes) is a potential species for agroforestry that produces medicinal tubers and leaves. It has high productivity and export opportunities, but its management strategy under community forestland needs to be more widely studied. In Ciamis Regency, talas beneng has been cultivated for the last two years, but the progress has not been significant. This study aimed to formulate strategic management for improving its business model by identifying internal and external factors. Two groups of farmers in Ciamis Regency were chosen as the case study. Observation and in-depth interviews with farming group leaders as key informants were employed to gather the existing model business. Internal and external factors were analyzed using a business model canvas (BMC) framework, SWOT analysis and quantitative strategic planning matrix (QSPM). Results show that the market channels between the two groups of talas beneng producers are slightly different. SWOT analysis shows that both groups have positions in which product development and market penetration are required as strategies to improve future management. Specific strategies that need to be prioritized include 1) improving farming intensification, 2) improving talas beneng product competitiveness, and 3) expanding the business partnership to access market information better.

Optimal Allocation Under Anticipated Nonresponse

Abstract Survey response rates have declined dramatically in recent years, increasing the costs of data collection. Despite this, there is little existing research on how to most efficiently allocate samples in a manner that incorporates response rate information. Existing mathematical theory on allocation for single-stage stratified sample designs generally assumes complete response. A common practice is to allocate sample under complete response, then to inflate the sample sizes by the inverse of the anticipated response rates. However, we show that this method can fail to improve upon an unadjusted allocation, due to ignoring the associated increase in the cost per interview. We provide mathematical theory on how to allocate single-stage designs in a manner that incorporates the effects of nonresponse on cost efficiency. We derive the optimal allocation for the poststratified estimator under nonresponse, which minimizes either the unconditional variance of our estimator or the expected costs, holding the other constant, and taking into account uncertainty in the number of respondents. We assume a cost model that incorporates effects of nonresponse. We provide theoretical comparisons between our allocation and common alternatives, which illustrate how response rates, population characteristics, and cost structure can affect the methods’ relative efficiency. In an application to a self-administered survey of US military personnel, the proposed allocation increases the effective sample size by 25 percent, compared with common practice.

ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКАЯ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ ВОЗДЕЛЫВАНИЯ СОВРЕМЕННЫХ СОРТОВ РАПСА

The formation of varietal resources is a powerful factor ensuring food security of the country. The purpose of our research is to analyze the production of modern varieties and hybrids of spring rapeseed in the conditions of Western Siberia (on the example of the southern forest-steppe of the Omsk region) and to determine the economic efficiency of their cultivation. Methods of mathematical, statistical analysis of data from published official statistical sources were used. The prime costs, revenues and cost recovery for the cultivation of domestic varieties Yubileyny and 55region, foreign varieties (Heros) and hybrid (PR46X75) are calculated. The data on the structure of prime costs of spring rapeseed are presented, where the largest share of costs is accounted for by plant protection products (32.8%), and approximately equal shares (10.5-13%) are accounted for by labor remuneration, maintenance of fixed assets and other basic costs. The share of seed costs depends on the seed material and varies from 3% for varieties to 10% for hybrids. On average for the years of research (2021-2023) the maximum oilseed yield was observed in hybrid PR46X75 - 2.23 t/ha, where the net income amounted to 56547 rubles/ha, but the cost recovery in this variant is the lowest - 4.82, due to high costs (14813 rubles/ha) in comparison with the cultivation of varieties of Siberian breeding Yubileyny and 55region, whose indicators amounted to 51202-54590 rubles/ha, 5.21-5.22 and 12158-12930 rubles/ha, respectively. The highest profitability was achieved in the cultivation of the spring rapeseed varieties 55region (422%) and Yubileyny (421%), and the lowest - in the hybrid PR46X75 - 382%.

Development Problems and New Paths of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises under the Background of Digital Economy

This research explores the transformative impact of the digital economy on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the global landscape. In response to the digitalization of the economy, SMEs face both opportunities and challenges that significantly shape their development. The study delves into the positive impact of the digital economy on SMEs, emphasizing the role of internet-based technologies in expanding market access, breaking down trade barriers, and restructuring supply chains. However, it also highlights cybersecurity challenges that SMEs encounter, particularly in the context of increased digitalization and the COVID-19 pandemic. The article further investigates how the digital economy fosters innovation for SMEs, enabling them to contribute significantly to radical advancements and non-technological innovation. The research underscores the symbiotic relationship between digital technologies and SMEs' innovative capabilities, emphasizing their role as catalysts for economic growth. Additionally, the study explores how the digital economy helps SMEs optimize their cost structures, achieve revenue growth, and gain access to new markets through digitalization. The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted relationship between SMEs and the digital economy, drawing perspectives from market dynamics, cybersecurity challenges, innovation landscapes, and financial optimization. The findings contribute valuable insights for policymakers, business leaders, and stakeholders, advocating for enhanced cybersecurity measures, digital technology adoption, and strategic innovation to foster a resilient and thriving ecosystem for SMEs in the digital age. The article concludes with recommendations for bridging the digital divide, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and promoting digital transformation among SMEs in an adaptive manner.

Strategy Typology and Cost Structure: A Textual Analysis Approach

This study investigates the impact of firms’ strategic positioning on cost structure. Using textual analysis based on 10-K filings, we capture business strategy along three dimensions: product leadership, customer intimacy, and operational excellence. Firms pursuing the product leadership strategy emphasize innovation and confront high congestion risk caused by rapid growth. We find that these firms display a more rigid cost structure by incurring higher strategic fixed investments in R&D and choosing higher committed capacity to reduce congestion risk. We also document that firms following the other two strategies on average exhibit a less rigid cost structure. This is possibly because customer-intimate firms tend to invest in specialized resources in small chunks and take on-demand inputs to tailor offerings, while operational-excellence firms may adopt real options and flexible models to achieve production efficiency and mitigate default risk. Our results are robust to using a difference-in-difference approach based on a quasinatural shock caused by the Inevitable Disclosure Doctrine adoption and a change analysis based on firms’ internal strategic shifts. Our findings suggest that organizational strategy has a significant impact on firms’ resource commitments and capacity choices.

Managing social-educational robotics for students with autism spectrum disorder through business model canvas and customer discovery

Social-educational robotics, such as NAO humanoid robots with social, anthropomorphic, humanlike features, are tools for learning, education, and addressing developmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder or ASD) through social and collaborative robotic interactions and interventions. There are significant gaps at the intersection of social robotics and autism research dealing with how robotic technology helps ASD individuals with their social, emotional, and communication needs, and supports teachers who engage with ASD students. This research aims to (a) obtain new scientific knowledge on social-educational robotics by exploring the usage of social robots (especially humanoids) and robotic interventions with ASD students at high schools through an ASD student–teacher co-working with social robot–social robotic interactions triad framework; (b) utilize Business Model Canvas (BMC) methodology for robot design and curriculum development targeted at ASD students; and (c) connect interdisciplinary areas of consumer behavior research, social robotics, and human-robot interaction using customer discovery interviews for bridging the gap between academic research on social robotics on the one hand, and industry development and customers on the other. The customer discovery process in this research results in eight core research propositions delineating the contexts that enable a higher quality learning environment corresponding with ASD students’ learning requirements through the use of social robots and preparing them for future learning and workforce environments.

Robustness of business models for insect production for feed and food in Europe

Abstract Insects and their derivatives are increasingly recognised as a (more) sustainable and circular protein source for feed and food. The European insect industry is growing, but upscaling remains a challenge due to multiple uncertainties. This study analysed the robustness of three different business models for insect production for feed and food in six future scenarios. Business models and scenarios were identified through literature review and refined through expert elicitation (n = 5). The three business models comprised: (1) full-liner black soldier fly production for pet food, (2) decentralised black soldier fly production for aquafeed, and (3) mealworm processing cooperative for food. The six scenarios addressed uncertainties around the use of side streams, insect welfare, energy, and sustainability. We used the Business Model Stress Test in four focus groups with experts (n = 23) from six European countries. Heat maps for three distinct business models were presented, detailing the impacts of scenarios on business model components. Experts regarded full-liner black soldier fly production for pet food and mealworm processing cooperative for food as more robust than decentralised black soldier fly production for aquafeed. These differences were mainly related to the customer segments, value proposition, revenue structure, and cost structure. In full-liner black soldier fly production for pet food, stringent regulations were expected to have no negative impact on business model components, in contrast to liberal regulations with anticipated adverse effects. Examination of regulatory uncertainty indicated strict legislation’s advantageous expected impact on consumer trust in the pet food and food market. High energy prices were anticipated as a major challenge across all business models, while improved sustainability compliance was viewed positively. The classification in relatively more or less robust business models serves as a guide for business and policy in further developing the insect sector for feed and food in Europe.

Foreign market entry with circular business models: a customer-centric approach

Circular business models have been developed in recent years, driven by concerns over environmental sustainability. The circular business models are initially tested domestically, but businesses may aspire to expand internationally with it. However, entering foreign markets with circular business models, which include novel products and innovative services, may be challenging. Moreover, generalized foreign market entry criteria for circular business models are lacking. This in-depth case study utilized a mixed-method approach to shed light on the tactical adaptations businesses need to make in their circular business model when entering foreign markets while also ensuring economic competitiveness. The case includes foreign market entry with a circular “service" business model; therefore, we emphasized the customer side of the business model canvas related to customer relationships. In our conclusion, we identify five tactical adaptations, namely implementing a co-creation tool for customization, offering tangible customized benefits, increasing investment in social media marketing, utilizing start-up incubators/accelerators/co-working spaces as a marketing channel and offering adjustable contract lengths. Foreign markets with circular business models and involving the value network partners of the business are also expected to expand the positive externalities of circular economy internationally.

Reward-Based Crowdfunding Versus Initial Coin Offerings

Inspired by emerging financing techniques that offer additional financing options for entrepreneurs, we establish a stylized model to compare two prevalent crowdfunding strategies: Reward-based crowdfunding and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). First, we highlight that the fundamental difference between reward-based crowdfunding and ICO lies in the distinct types of price distortion, resulting in different agency costs. Specifically, compared to the first-best benchmark, reward-based crowdfunding sets a lower funding price to attract more consumers to pre-order, while ICO sets a higher market price due to speculators’ revenue-sharing in the market stage. Second, we show that the financing limit (i.e., the maximum funds raised) of reward-based crowdfunding is driven by the platform traffic, whereas that of ICO is driven by the marginal production cost. Therefore, even with numerous speculators, ICO may result in a lower financing limit than reward-based crowdfunding when the platform traffic or the marginal production cost is high. Third, we explore how products’ cost structures shape entrepreneurs’ financing preferences. ICO suits intangible products with high fixed cost and low marginal production cost, while reward-based crowdfunding aligns better with products exhibiting the opposite cost structure. Finally, we extend our model to show the robustness of our findings and offer some additional insights. For example, ICO may amplify the risk of market uncertainty compared to reward-based crowdfunding; Security Token Offerings (STO) benefits from the absence of agency costs between the entrepreneur and speculators compared to ICO while it may suffer from equity loss, particularly in risky and regulated markets, etc.

Foundation models are platform models: Prompting and the political economy of AI

A recent innovation in the field of machine learning has been the creation of very large pre-trained models, also referred to as ‘foundation models’, that draw on much larger and broader sets of data than typical deep learning systems and can be applied to a wide variety of tasks. Underpinning text-based systems such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and image generators such as Midjourney, these models have received extraordinary amounts of public attention, in part due to their reliance on prompting as the main technique to direct and apply them. This paper thus uses prompting as an entry point into the critical study of foundation models and their implications. The paper proceeds as follows: In the first section, we introduce foundation models in more detail, outline some of the main critiques, and present our general approach. We then discuss prompting as an algorithmic technique, show how it makes foundation models programmable, and explain how it enables different audiences to use these models as (computational) platforms. In the third section, we link the material properties of the technologies under scrutiny to questions of political economy, discussing, in turn, deep user interactions, reordered cost structures, and centralization and lock-in. We conclude by arguing that foundation models and prompting further strengthen Big Tech's dominance over the field of computing and, through their broad applicability, many other economic sectors, challenging our capacities for critical appraisal and regulatory response.