published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-85).

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One of the dilemmas that information systems (IS) decision-makers encounter is the identification of the often hidden costs associated with IS adoption, particularly since most of them are reported to be external to the traditional IS budget. The review of the IS literature has identified that much effort to date has focused on the identification and measurement of direct costs, and that much less attention has been paid to indirect costs. One of the main problems reported in the literature associated with looking at indirect costs is that they are intangible and difficult to quantify, and there is evidence suggesting that these indirect costs are rarely completely budgeted for, and thus deserve a much closer consideration by decision-makers. This research investigates this view, arguing that one element of indirect costs, that is, indirect human costs (lRCs), is underestimated and little understood. The author argues that it is not possible to estimate or evaluate IHCs without first identifying all their components, yet there is an absence of models that show how such costs are allocated for IS adoption. This underpins the necessity of the present research. Proposed here is a framework of nine sequential phases for accommodating indirect human costs. In addition to this, 1) three conjectures, 2) cost taxonomy and 3) an interrelationship-mapping cost driver model of IRCs, are proposed based on the literature analysis and underpinning the conceptual phases of the framework. To test the conjectures and validate the models proposed, a case research strategy using case settings were carried out in the private sector. Empirical findings validates the models proposed and reveal that indirect human costs are perceived as costs associated with IS adoption, nevertheless not included in the evaluation process or investment proposals. However, during the empirical research, new cost factors and drivers emerged, which resulted in modifications being made to the previously proposed conceptual models. In doing so, it provides investment decision-makers with novel frames of reference and an extensive list of IRCs that can be used during both the IS budget proposals and the evaluation process of the IS investment.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, early mortality, and kidney failure. There is a substantial burden of CKD in Manitoba’s rural and remote First Nations. Early detection and treatment of CKD in this population may be cost-effective. We constructed a Markov model comparing screening for CKD, by both estimated glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria, to usual care using the perspective of the health care payer. Patients were classified into initial risk groups based on results from the First Nations Community Based Screening to Improve Kidney Health and Prevent Dialysis initiative. Screening in Manitoba’s rural and remote First Nations was associated with a $33,500/QALY incremental cost-effectiveness ratio in comparison to usual care. Restricting to communities accessible primarily by air travel, this ratio fell to $16,180/QALY. In conclusion, at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/QALY, screening for CKD in Manitoba’s rural and remote First Nations is likely cost-effective.

In today&amp / #8217 / s life, companies are faced with the problem of providing quality goods and services at competitive prices. Cost estimation is a very important process for a forging company, as each time a quote is sent to a customer, the company earns or loses money depending on the results of the particular estimate. However, determining pricing for customer quotes is a matter of time consuming, detailed number of tasks repeated each time. Cost estimation software might do those tedious calculations and assist the estimator step by step to reach to a cost estimate in relatively short time. In this study, an interactive cost estimation software named Forge Cost Estimator, which performs the early cost estimation for forgings, has been developed. The program is aimed to be used by the cost estimators in hot forging companies. The software has various databases, which include material, forging and machining equipment data. The cost items defined in the forging work breakdown structure can be estimated by using different modules of the software and summed up in an additive structure by using the bottom-up costestimation method. For calculating the forge volume quicker and easier, a new volume estimation system named Easy-Volume, which is based on the volume fragmentation method, is proposed. The software can also guide the user in selecting the convenient forging production line. The software is written in MS Visual Basic 6.0. The developed program has been tested in a forging company and satisfactory cost estimations for several forgings have been achieved.

Availability of historical unit cost data is an important factor in developing accurate project cost estimates. State highway agencies (SHAs) collect data on historical bids and/or production rates, crew sizes and mixes, material costs, and equipment costs, including contractor overhead and profit. The objective of this research is to create a framework to define a standardized and a systematic approach for developing unit costs for construction project estimating. A literature review was conducted that provided an overview of estimating techniques used in project estimating, estimation guidelines maintained by SHAs, and information systems used in the estimation process. After gaining a broad overview of the industry‘s approach to unit cost development, a survey was then conducted. The purpose of the survey was to identify the state of practice in SHAs for unit cost development. The survey helped to identify SHAs doing considerable work in unit cost development and interviews were conducted with these agencies to know their unit cost development process in detail. The results from survey and the interviews were then used in defining the framework. The framework provides a standardized way to use historical data for preparing construction project estimates.

The solar photovoltaic industry has many barriers to overcome before it can become a technically and economically competitive generation source including (1) lowering true generation costs, (2) decreasing reliance from government subsidies, and (3) developing a suitable energy storage solution. Current unsubsidized costs of electricity from solar photovoltaic sources range from 24.0 to 58.3¢/kWh. Subsidies bring the generation costs down to as low as 11¢/kWh, competitive with the average retail price of electricity in certain parts of the country. Current subsidy policies used to encourage technology development may generate more profits rather than research and innovation. The most optimistic predictions for solar photovoltaics include a convergence of a steep and prolonged rise in the cost of fossil-fuel based generation with a deep and prolonged decrease in the cost of photovoltaic generation by 2019. Deviation from optimal conditions will prolong the delay the crossover until at least 2021 and possibly beyond 2030. The development of a solution to store excess electricity when the sun is available during the day for use at night is necessary for photovoltaic electricity to become a dominant generation source. / text

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