Question

Capacity management, denominator-level capacity concepts. Match each of the following numbered descriptions with one or more of the denominator-level capacity concepts by putting the appropriate letter(s) by each item:a) Theoretical capacity b) Practical capacity c) Normal capacity utilization d) Master-budget capacity utilization 1. Measures the denominator level in terms of what a plant can supply. 2. Is based on producing at full efficiency all the time.3. Represents the expected level of capacity utilization for the next budget period. 4. Measures the denominator level in terms of demand for the output of the plant. 5. Takes into account seasonal, cyclical, and trend factors. 6. Should be used for performance evaluation in the current year. 7. Represents an ideal benchmark. 8. Highlights the cost of capacity acquired but not used. 9. Should be used for long-term pricing purposes. 10. Hides the cost of capacity acquired but not used. 11. If used as the denominator-level concept, would avoid the restatement of unit costs when expected demand levels change?

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Theoretical and Practical capacity: Measures the denominator level in terms of what a plant can supply

2. Theoretical capacity: Is based on producing at full efficiency all the time.

3. Master-budget capacity utilization: Represents the expected level of capacity utilization for the next budget period.

4. Normal and Master-budget capacity: Measures the denominator level in terms of demand for the output of the plant.

5. Normal capacity utilization: Takes into account seasonal, cyclical, and trend factors.

6. Master-budget capacity utilization: Should be used for performance evaluation in the current year.

7. Theoretical capacity: Represents an ideal benchmark.

8. Theoretical and Practical capacity: Highlights the cost of capacity acquired but not used.

9. Master-budget capacity utilization: Should be used for long-term pricing purposes.

10. Normal and Master-budget capacity: Hides the cost of capacity acquired but not used.

11. Theoretical and Practical capacity: If used as the denominator-level concept, would avoid the restatement of unit costs when expected demand levels change.

Explanation:

Capacity is the maximum level of output that an organization can optimally sustain, to produce goods or provide service to meet it's customer demands.

The denominator-level capacity is a concept used under the capacity management. Denominator-level capacity concept is used to ascertain the capacity level that is considered for analyzing a production process or business operations. They are classified as follows;

i. Normal capacity utilization is based on the level of capacity utilization which satisfy the average customer demand periodically such as trend, cyclical and seasonal factors.

ii. Master-budget capacity utilization is based on the level of capacity expected for the current budget period, typically a year.

iii. Theoretical capacity is the denominator-level concept based on producing continuously at full efficiency.

iv. Practical Capacity is based on the level of capacity that involves unavoidable operating interruptions, such as scheduled equipment maintenance or repair time, holiday shutdowns etc.