Increase Profit Margins Research Articles

The effect of resin type on the properties of fibreboards coated with digilam decor papers used in interior design

The decorative paper industry is a highly competitive industrial sector. Manufacturers of impregnated paper for face-laminated medium-density fibreboard (MDF) and particleboard need to significantly reduce production costs to increase profit margins. Melamine formaldehyde resin (MF) formulations are a costly raw material widely used for impregnating and coating such papers. In this study, the effect of resin-impregnated digilam decor paper on the physical, mechanical and surface properties of MDF board was investigated using a new melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin formulation.100% melamine (MF), 100% urea formaldehyde (UF) and 50% MF + 50% UF resin were used in the impregnation process of the digilam decorative papers. In physical properties, the minimum water absorption and thickness swelling values after 24 hours of soaking in water are 21.93% and 1.81% in UF, 16.84% and 1.22% in MF, 13.79% and 1.22% in UF+MF, respectively. In mechanical properties, the values of bending strength and modulus of elasticity in bending were obtained as 32.14 and 3957.73 N/mm2, in UF, 40.39 and 6983.82 N/mm2 in MF, and 36.96 and 5290.06 N/mm2 in UF+MF, respectively. The results of simple statistical analysis of the data obtained from the surface tests have determined that the resistance values against staining, water vapor and scratching on the board scovered with digilam decorative papers produced using MF and UF + MF meet the limits required in the relevant standards. As a result, the boards covered with MF impregnated digilam decorative papers showed better performance than the boards coated with UF and UF+MF impregnated digilam decorative papers.

Solar Radiation Measurement Tools and Their Impact on In Situ Testing—A Portuguese Case Study

Accurate knowledge of solar radiation data or its estimation is crucial to maximize the benefits derived from the Sun. In this context, many sectors are re-evaluating their investments and plans to increase profit margins in line with sustainable development based on knowledge and estimation of solar radiation. This scenario has drawn the attention of researchers to the estimation and measurement of solar radiation with a low level of error. Various types of models, such as empirical models, time series, artificial intelligence algorithms and hybrid models, for estimating and measuring solar radiation have been continuously developed in the literature. In general, these models require atmospheric, geographical, climatic and historical solar radiation data from a specific region for accurate estimation. Each analysis model has its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to estimating solar radiation and, depending on the model, the results for one region may be better or worse than for another. Furthermore, it has been observed that an input parameter that significantly improves the model’s performance in one region can make it difficult to succeed in another. The research gaps, challenges and future directions in terms of solar radiation estimation have substantial impacts, but regardless of the model, in situ measurements and commercially available equipment consistently influence solar radiation calculations and, subsequently, simulations or estimates. This article aims to exemplify, through a case study in a multi-family residential building located in Viana do Castelo, a city in the north of Portugal, the difficulties of capturing the spectrum of radiations that make up the total radiation that reaches the measuring equipment or site. Three pieces of equipment are used—a silicon pyranometer, a thermopile pyranometer and a solar meter—on the same day, in the same place, under the same meteorological conditions and with the same measurement method. It is found that the thermopile pyranometer has superior behavior, as it does not oscillate as much with external factors such as the ambient temperature, which influence the other two pieces of equipment. However, due to the different assumptions of the measurement models, the various components of the measurement site make it difficult to obtain the most accurate and reliable results in most studies. Despite the advantages of each model, measurement models have gained prominence in terms of the ease of use and low operating costs rather than the rigor of their results.

The Important Role of Management Accounting in Optimizing Cost Control and Improving Profitability in the Service Sector

Management accounting plays a very important strategic role in improving the profitability of the service sector. Its function goes beyond the mere recording of financial transactions to include analyzing and managing operational costs with a critical and in-depth approach. Through techniques such as activity-based costing, companies can accurately identify key cost sources and implement more effective control measures. The results of this analysis allow companies to set more competitive prices, increase profit margins, and maximize operational efficiency. Management accounting provides data and insights that are essential for strategic decision-making. Accurate information on financial and operational performance enables management to assess the effectiveness of various business initiatives, including new product development and market expansion. This critical analysis helps identify areas where efficiency can be improved and costs can be reduced, thereby supporting long-term strategies for sustainable growth. The integration of management accounting principles into the operational strategies of service companies enables them to face the challenges of a dynamic market, improve competitiveness, and achieve sustained profitability. Management accounting not only helps in cost control but also makes a significant contribution in improving the quality of decision making and strategic planning. A suitable approach for companies can achieve better financial and operational goals, ensuring sustainability and steady growth in an increasingly competitive business environment. Management accounting, thus, is a tool that not only supports efficiency but also encourages innovation and strategic adaptation critical for long-term success.

Investigation of Marketing Strategies of Ornamental Plants in Konya Province

The aim of this study is to examine the marketing strategies of ornamental plants in Konya province, to determine the target markets that the sector can best serve, and to evaluate all the components that can contribute to the development of the sector on a provincial basis. In this context, the sales and marketing strategies of the companies producing and selling in Konya province were identified, suggestions for improvement were presented and the potential of ornamental plants in the region was determined. It is believed that the study will make an important contribution to the literature in this area. The main body of the research consists of ornamental plant companies selling in Konya province. In order to answer the questions of the study, a face-to-face survey was conducted with 32 operators representing the main mass. Porter’s Diamond model was used to evaluate the competitiveness. As a result of the analysis of the data, it was observed that the competitiveness of the companies is low and they are not looking for alternative markets. The lack of legislation defining the sector, the problem of organisation, the fact that they consider their income to be sufficient and the lack of information at the point of sale are the main obstacles to competitiveness. In fact, the main priority for a company is to gain a competitive position in order to increase profit margins. For this reason, companies need to evaluate the opportunities that may present themselves, develop strategies to add value to customers in the long term, and determine strategies to be close to the market in order to create new markets.

ANALISIS ARUS KAS UNTUK PENGAMBILAN KEPUTUSAN PADA CV ELSA MANDIRI ABADI

The cash flow report is a very important part of a company which describes the amount of cash receipts and expenditures. The cash flow report consists of operating activities, investment activities, and financing activities. To maintain the continuity of the company, a cash flow is very necessary and the company can read the cash flow calculations for decision making. The research aims to find out whether information on cash flow from operating activities is a step in making company management decisions. The research was carried out at CV Elsa Mandiri Abadi, located on Jalan Setia Budi, Klegen Madiun. The type of research is descriptive qualitative. The results of the research are the adequacy of the company's operating cash flow to meet all its needs is quite good. The results of the overall ratio calculation are an analysis of the ratio of operating cash flow to current debt, the ratio of operating cash flow to total debt, the interest coverage ratio the ratio of cash flow to net profit, and the quality ratio. sales for 3 periods in the company that cash flow can be used as a management decision-making tool because the results are positive. Management decision-making includes: 1) Consider purchasing fixed assets; 2) Fixed assets that are not useful should be sold to be realized as cash; and 3) Companies need to reduce expenditure items and make efficiencies to increase profit margins

United States Consumers’ Perceptions and Willingness to Pay for Sustainable Environmental Practices in a Retail Floral Provider’s Business Model

Research suggests consumers are willing to pay a premium for goods from industries that design products using environmentally sound practices and that these practices lead to customer loyalty. Using environmentally friendly practices can differentiate a business from competitors through branding, which has been known to help increase profit margins and stimulate demand in a saturated market. The main purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of consumer perceptions and willingness to pay as they relate to retail floral providers’ sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. A total of 2172 people responded to an online survey. The sample used in this study was a random selection of individuals 18 years and older living in the United States. Survey responses were collected from 21 Dec 2022 to 27 Jan 2023. Respondents indicated the use of locally sourced flowers followed by the recycling of flower waste through composting as the two sustainable attributes that would increase their willingness to make purchases the most. Respondents indicated the strongest willingness to pay 10% or more for locally sourced flowers (61.7%), followed by flower providers composting their floral waste (59.5%). In addition, 50% or more of all respondents indicated a willingness to pay 10% or more for all the sustainable attributes for which they were asked. The methods in which retail floral providers source floral material, create floral designs, and market and brand their company are important considerations when promoting their services toward environmentally conscious consumers and in creating a valuable repeat customer base.

Effect of Cost Accounting Techniques on Financial Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Kigali, Rwanda

The global economy’s highly advanced period has an impact on the increasingly harsh economic competition that happens. Cost accounting, with its marginal costing technique, assists management in profit planning. Despite the cost accounting processes put in place for a majority of manufacturing organizations, commercial success is slow and insignificant. As a result of poor performance, several industrial enterprises have even gone bankrupt. The general objective of this study was to examine the effect of cost accounting techniques on financial performance of small and medium enterprises in Kigali, Rwanda. The study used descriptive research design. The target population consisted of 393 small and medium enterprises operating in the industry sector in Kigali City. A sample size of 393 was. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze the data. Results of the study were that there was a statistical significant effect of cost accounting techniques (absorption costs, marginal costs, budgetary control costing) on financial performance of SMEs as evidenced by findings strong positive correlation coefficients additionally multiple linear regressions measured how much variability in the dependent variable (that is, Financial Performance of SMEs in Kigali City) the predictors (absorption costing, marginal costing, and budgetary control) accounted for. This implied that use of cost accounting technique explained about 88.2% of the variation of financial performance of SMEs in Kigali City.It was therefore concluded that continual use of cost accounting techniques (absorption costing, marginal costing and budgetary control) helps in decision making, to achieve high standard of accounting procedure, leads to cost effective procurement, save cost, increase profit margin, increase business growth and among others. The study therefore recommends that SME’s owners are encouraged continual use of cost accounting techniques. The SMEs owners also have to provide special training to the employees on cost accounting and accounting to enhance the employees’ performance. Government of Rwanda should also encourage SMEs to work professionally so that even those which left behind of keeping accounting records they can adapt them.

Blockchain Technology in Fisheries Industry: A Systematic Literature Review

This paper explores the potential of blockchain technology in enhancing the fisheries industry, focusing on traceability, sustainability, and economic efficiency. The fisheries sector plays a vital role in global food security but faces significant challenges, including illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overfishing, and inefficiencies in supply chain management. This systematic literature review synthesizes existing research on blockchain applications in fisheries, highlighting its capacity to improve transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain. Blockchain’s immutable ledger and real-time data sharing can enhance traceability, allowing stakeholders to verify the origins of seafood products and ensure compliance with sustainability standards. Additionally, the technology can reduce transaction costs by eliminating intermediaries, thereby increasing profit margins for fishermen. Despite the numerous benefits, challenges such as integration with existing systems and the need for stakeholder collaboration must be addressed for successful implementation. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on blockchain in the fisheries sector and offers insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking to leverage technology for sustainable practices.

An Inception of Value Chain Development of Sweet Orange; Kinesis to Food Security in the Developing Countries Scenario

Sweet orange is one of the major citrus fruits of Nepal which is widely cultivated in mid-hills. This paper assesses the value chain of sweet oranges cultivated in the Ramechhap district of Nepal, considering its economic significance for farmers. The study adopts a qualitative research approach, utilizing key informant interviews and focus group discussions with various stakeholders. Participants were selected based on a list of producers collected from the Prime-Minister Agricultural Modernization Project (PMAMP) Ramechhap district, and the snowball method was employed to identify other actors. This study revealed that the value chain of sweet oranges in the Ramechhap district involves growers, vendors, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers as the main actors, while federal, provincial, and local agricultural service centres serve as enablers. Additionally, findings show vendors play a dominant role, in determining the per unit price and pressuring farmers to sell immediately after harvest due to limited storage capacity. Vendors are enjoying increased profit margins because they have greater bargaining power over farmers, who have inadequate storage facilities. The study suggests areas for improvement: using quality seedlings, managing nutrients effectively, and employing proper storage techniques like cold stores to prolong shelf-life and enhance quality, taste, and colour. Enhancing productivity via trifoliate rootstock, optimizing fruit quality, and extending shelf-life through improved storage facilities can substantially boost revenue for producers. Understanding the entire value chain provides insights into enhancing the overall performance of value chain actors. Further studies can explore additional dimensions of the chain in more depth.

A robust benchmarking of direct margin in Italy's energy retail markets

In the 2000s, Italy liberalized its electricity and natural gas markets, and in 2016, it separated retail activities from other activities within these markets. Such differentiation is unique within Europe. Italy is an ideal case for investigating which operational factors may increase profit margins among electricity and gas retailers. The present analysis analyzes 120 retail operators in the Italian electricity and gas markets in 2020, using two models to assess their cost and commercial efficiencies in achieving high direct margin (defined as the difference between revenues and raw materials cost). The findings show a positive effect of size on efficiency.

Monetary aggregates in the US since 2020 and post-COVID-19 inflation: evidence from the equation of exchange

Starting from Irving Fisher’s equation of exchange ( ) at the basis of the quantity theory of money, we analyze from a theoretical macroeconomic-monetary perspective whether the increase of monetary aggregates M1 and M2 might have affected general prices. Moreover, we investigate why monetary aggregates have evolved differently for COVID-19 than in the global financial crisis (2007-2009). The article elaborates on data for the US from Q1/2020 to Q2/2022 and represents the first scientific contribution to the analysis of post-COVID-19 inflation by means of the equation of exchange. We find that money growth seems to have contributed to inflation supporting the “monetarist” view, but that non-monetary drivers such as supply shocks and increasing profit margins outweigh the monetary ones.

Sustainable and Traditional Agricultural Practices to Reinforce Income Dynamics among Tribal Communities in Rural Wayanad, Kerala, India

This comprehensive study conducted in Wayanad, Kerala, India, explores sustainable traditional farming practices in rural tribal households, with a primary goal of boosting income growth and agricultural productivity. The research delves into the intricate relationship between agricultural methods, income distribution, and ecological factors across household income brackets. Descriptive statistics provide a contextual understanding, while regression analysis offers insights into the relationships between Income and Agricultural Practices. The study assesses the impact of various traditional methods on agriculture, investigates the profitability and practices associated with organic, artificial, and mixed farming, and observes that mixed farming methods are more profitable than relying solely on natural practices, with income levels influencing the adoption of advanced farming technologies. The research explores the correlation between combining animal husbandry and agriculture in households, revealing an association with increased profit margins. Emphasizing the importance of sustainable agricultural practices, the study shows a preference for traditional farming techniques in the low-income bracket and a shift towards artificial methods as income rises. The research offers valuable insights into income, farming practices, and sustainability in this context.

Cost Analysis in the Transition of Projects to Remote Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Theoretical Benchmark: The COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to undergo unprecedented transformations. Projects emerged as key drivers of change, necessitating clear intentions and resource organization. Amid economic challenges, companies globally pivoted to remote work, leading to cost analysis implications. Delays and cost overruns persisted in project management, with factors like inadequate forecasting and unforeseen risks contributing. The study aimed to evaluate the expenses of three consulting projects transitioning from in-person to remote work due to the pandemic's impact. Method: This study employs an exploratory case study methodology to examine the transformations undertaken by a private entity offering educational and technology services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus is on the technology and innovation sector, where services include metrology, technical services, product development, and consulting. Cost analysis is conducted, comparing in-person and remote project execution, with a fixed-price contract model, and profit margins are evaluated for each project mode. Results and Conclusion: Adapting projects to remote work during the pandemic reduced costs and increased profit margins, with Project A achieving a 4.9% profit margin due to savings. Projects B and C saw significant cost reductions of 17% and 31%, respectively, when executed remotely, leading to higher profit margins. The study underscores the potential for remote consulting projects as a viable business opportunity and suggests further research into their impact on customer satisfaction and pricing competitiveness. Research Implications: The study's findings recommend that consulting firms should adopt standardized cost estimation procedures and implement project-specific cost monitoring. These implications offer practical guidance to consulting firms aiming to excel in demanding situations and streamline their operations effectively. Originality/Value: This research explores how consulting firms can thrive during crises like COVID-19 by adopting remote work, which reduces costs and increases profitability. It suggests, as a topic for future research, a more detailed analysis of the correlation between project execution in-person and remotely, and how this directly affects the satisfaction and performance of client companies.

Do firms adopting cloud computing technology exhibit higher future performance? A textual analysis approach

In this paper, we examine whether firms adopting cloud computing technology exhibit higher future accounting performance. Using text-based measures of cloud computing and corporate strategies obtained from 10-K filings, we find that firms adopting cloud computing technology experience higher accounting returns in the next year, suggesting a short-term effect. We further document that cloud computing adopters emphasizing a differentiation strategy achieve an increase in profit margin, while their cost leader counterparts obtain an improvement in asset turnover. Additional analyses show that our results are robust to alternative measures of cloud computing adoption and corporate strategies. Overall, our study suggests that strategic positioning affects the future accounting performance of cloud computing adopters.

Tips to Increase Profit Margins in Sheep Farming

Tips to Increase Profit Margins in Sheep Farming

Safety Cost Analysis for Building in Construction Industry

Abstract: The construction industry provides shelter for a variety of societies and for a variety of purposes. A security culture is concerned with ensuring safety and avoiding risks. A questionnaire is used to collect information for this project. The study's questionnaire included questions with fixed response categories as well as open-ended questions. Three ratios were calculated, and a graph was plotted for analysis. The Accident Loss Ratio (ALR), Safety Investment Ratio (SIR), and Accident Occurrence Index (AOI) are the three ratios calculated. An estimation of 0.672% of the contract amount was found to be the optimum safety investment for a construction project. It was found that the overall cost to the contractor (accident loss plus safety investment) was 1.148% of the total contract amount. It isn't intended to suggest the scary assumption that 0.672% is the optimum value and that a safety investment higher than 0.672% is not necessary. In actuality, 0.672% needs to be thought of as the very minimal amount to invest in safety in a construction project. The purpose of the graphical representation is to demonstrate the effect of safety investment in a project on the severity of accidents and accident loss occurrences on site, which ultimately reduces the contractor's profit margin. The main goal of the graphical representation is to understand the importance of safety investment in terms of both tangible and intangible benefits such as greater peace of mind for workers, a better image of the organisation in the market, and greater job satisfaction for employers and employees, as well as monetary benefits such as increased profit margins.

Is Industry- Versus Government-Sponsored Research a Zero-Sum Game?

Is Industry- Versus Government-Sponsored Research a Zero-Sum Game?

Examining California nursing home profitability and related factors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The financial status of nursing homes (NHs) is a policy concern, especially during a pandemic, because of the higher costs associated with infection prevention and resident care. This exploratory study was designed to assess the impact of the federal and state COVID-19 funding support on California NHs profitability during 2020, the first year of the pandemic, compared with 2019, the last pre-pandemic year. The study examined the association of Medicare and Medicaid days, related-party transactions, as well as other facility characteristics on net income profit margins, using cross-sectional regression analysis of data from state NH cost reports and federal NH provider data for 2019 and 2020. California skilled NHs had average reported net income profit margins of 2.26% in 2019 and 7.0% in 2020 with wide variations (from a loss of about 48% to a gain of 74% in 2020). Regression analysis found that the number of beds, occupancy rates, high-quality rating scores, and medium and high proportions of Medicare resident days were positively associated with net income margins in 2019 and 2020. Chains in 2020 (but not 2019), related-party expenditures in 2019 and 2020, median Medicaid days (in 2019), high Medicaid resident days (71%-73% or higher) in 2019 and 2020, and medium and high managed care resident days were negatively associated with net income margins in both years. Although NH admissions and occupancy rates declined substantially between 2019 and 2020, some (but not all) California NHs had a substantial increase in profit margins in 2020 over 2019. More studies of nursing home financial patterns and profitability are needed to examine trends over time and variations across states.

Social Security Privatization: Zombies Never Die

Institutional economists spend a great deal of time pointing out the unexplored problems existing within mainstream economic proposals. The privatization of Social Security (SS) is one such proposal and, like the locusts of old, this proposal will once again come to plague our political discourse. In a world facing existential threats from war, climate change, pandemic, and famine it is inevitable the right wing of the U.S. political system will once again turn to issues they really see as important: how to increase profit margins for international finance. Social Security privatization is a complex solution to a relatively minor problem. This essay will summarize the general shape of privatization schemes and explore two major problems they have as proposed. The essay will then offer a differing way to organize privatization that may call into question how well privatization would work.

Analisis Penentuan Harga Pokok Penjualan Sepatu Thrift Singapura by Lix

This research focuses on applying the Cost of Goods Sold (HPP) to determine the selling price of UMKM Thrift Shoes Singapore by Lix in Padang City. Using production cost data for the sales price of men's and women's shoes in 2022. The owner still does not know how to calculate a good cost of goods sold, this is evidenced by the lack of knowledge of the MSME owner of Thrift Shoes Singapore by Lix regarding proper management of cost of goods sold. In addition, the MSME owner of Thrift Shoes Singapore by Lix uses the cost of goods sold as the selling price without increasing profit margins.